The National Use of Hormonal Therapy in Postmenopausal Women in 2010

Cho, Moon Kyoung; Park, Hyoung Moo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the domestic consumption of postmenopausal hormonal medicine in the year 2010 and compare it with those since 2002.
METHODS
Data from Intercontinental Marketing Services were used to analyze the consumption of hormonal medicine in the year 2010. Total hormonal medicines consisted of estrogen (ET), estrogen+progestogen (EPT), and Tibolone. We compared the respective consumption of hormonal medicines in the year 2010 with those since 2002. The percentage and frequency of usage of ET, ET/EPT, and tibolone in the year 2010 were also estimated.
RESULTS
We found that 4.5% of women over 50 years of age had taken the postmenopausal hormonal medicine in the year 2010. The usage rate of each medicine showed 60% for ET/EPT compound, and 40% for Tibolone. The usage of postmenopausal hormonal medicine in 2010 increased by 7% compared to the previous year reaching 3.81 billion Korean won. There was 9% increase in the use of ET/EPT compound, and 4% increase in Tibolone.
CONCLUSION
The total consumption of postmenopausal hormonal medicine was markedly decreased between 2002 and 2007. Since 2007, however, it has been steadily increasing from 3.01 billion to more than 3.81 billion Korea won in 2010, which maybe due to the reappraisal of the WHI study results, the change of doctor's recognition, and the increased consumption of Tibolone. When initiating postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, the risk-benefit of hormonal therapy should be thoroughly explored.