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WHO RESISTS HRT / ERT
An exceptionally, active woman may be motivated to take ERT to
maintain her energy level; however, she may not notice the symptoms
of estrogen defciency as readily as an inactive woman, and may not
feel a need for ERT. A health-concious woman may desire ERT to help
prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis; however, she may
prefer to avoid the risks and side effect she has heard are
associated with ERT.
Many patients believe ERT can be beneficial, but hesitate to
start treatment due to fear of cancer. Some women have ethical
objections, and feel that exogenous hormones intefere with the
normal aging process; certain South American women reported
objections to ERT related to their religious beliefs. Still other
women resist ERT because of a stoic nature; they believe that
menopause and its accompanying symptoms simply are to be tolerated,
without fuss or medical intervention.
Women who belive themselves to be forgetful and to have difficulty
complying to a medical regimen may tend to resist ERT. For example,
physicians in Chile report that many patients have an overly relaxed
attitude toward long-term treatment with its inherent compliance
challenges.
The perception that ERT does not cure disease, but rather prevents
its occurrence, may lead women to refuse therapy. As one woman
commented, "If I had something wrong with my heart or if I had a
stroke, then I'd definately take ERT - but I feel fine. I don't feel
I need to take it."
A Chilean physician captured this perspective succinctly:
"Prevention is poorly developed in our mentalities."
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