Abstract
Purpose : Researches on alternative oriental medical therapy have been demanded due to the implication of hormone replacement therapy commonly applied for the climacteric symptoms. Therefore, we surveyed women in the postmenopausal periods to understand their perception on climacteric phases, experience of any physical and psychological changes, their needs and wants in therapy, impression on hormone replacement therapy and perception on the oriental medicine as a choice of postmenopausal therapy. We expect this survey will serve as a framework for the planning of postmenopausal clinical therapy in Oriental Gynecology. Method : From June 1 to July 1 2004, we randomly selected 63 women in the postmenopausal period in the age of 44-59 who visited Dong-In-Dang Oriental Medical Hospital and surveyed with questionnaire. Result :1.57.1% of selected subjects had an experience of postmenopausal therapy. Hormone replacement therapy was the primary choice of therapy (80.6%) for their climacteric symptoms and 33.3% had an experience of oriental medical therapy.2. Osteoporosis is one of the most concerned climacteric symptoms. Since long-term administration of hormone is discouraged due to various adverse side effects, oriental medical therapy is expected to play a significant role in controlling osteoporosis of women in climacteric phase. 3. According to the report from NIH, possible side effects of hormone replacement therapy include breast cancer (71.4%), heart disease (19.%), stroke (12.7%) and arterial thrombosis (7.9%). Subjects didn't perceive most of side effects of hormone therapy except for breast cancer. They seemed to have vague fear for the cancer as the side effects of the hormone therapy without knowing the rest of individual side effects. 4. Subjects were willing to have oriental postmenopausal therapy in the future (84.1%), suggesting strong preference for oriental medical therapy but lack of recognition of postmenopausal therapy in Oriental Gynecology was one of obstacles, while the biggest obstacle was the high cost of oriental postmenopausal therapy.