New Website: Women's Health Experts Launch ETIQ.info Devoted to Providing Credible Facts About Menopause and Estrogen Therapy

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) announced the launch of a new website www.ETIQ.info to improve access to credible information about menopause and management of common symptoms.  The site presents a thorough and balanced look at menopause and advances in estrogen therapy including the newer generation of bioidentical estrogen therapy options that are FDA-approved.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100513/CG04087)

"NPWH identified many misconceptions about estrogen therapy in a recent survey conducted with our members who are at the frontline counseling thousands of women every day about their health," said Susan Wysocki, president and chief executive officer, NPWH.  "One of the most startling and concerning facts revealed through our nurses who participated in the survey is that 82% percent of our nurses believe that their patients are unaware of the differences in estrogen therapies that have been approved as safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and those that are compounded or prepared at the pharmacy level which are of growing popularity and being touted by people without a medical background."

The website, www.ETIQ.info, offers women valuable information about managing symptoms associated with menopause and includes the ETIQ Test, a self-assessment with immediate results, to help women evaluate their estrogen therapy knowledge and learn more about the newer generation of bioidentical estrogen therapy options that are FDA-approved. Visitors also have the option to opt in for free information including a newsletter "Transitions" which can be sent digitally or by mail and includes news, tips and information about menopause.

About the ETIQ Campaign

Based on the survey findings and expressed needs of its members, NPWH recently launched the ETIQ Campaign. The Campaign is NPWH's first formal initiative to correct misconceptions surrounding estrogen therapy and menopause.  The primary goal of ETIQ is to improve access to credible facts about treatment advances so that women can make informed choices about estrogen therapy, particularly regarding bioidentical estrogen therapies that are FDA-approved versus compounded estrogen formulations that are not approved or monitored by the FDA.  The campaign encourages women to start a dialogue with their healthcare provider to find the right options to meet their individual needs.

NPWH hopes to boost awareness of the newer generation of FDA-approved estrogen therapy options including transdermal estrogen in the form of gels, sprays and creams, which are bioidentical and may be preferred by some women. NPWH plans to spread the word about ETIQ digitally and through traditional media support.

"Our members speak to women every day who are seeking individualized treatment for common symptoms of menopause and are being led to believe, often by untrained medical experts, that only compounded estrogen available at the pharmacy level is the way to get it," said Susan Wysocki.  "They have no idea that bioidentical estrogen options that are FDA-approved are available and are tightly monitored for safety and efficacy, and that is a great disservice."

FDA-approved estrogen therapy options that are bioidentical are also typically covered on insurance plans or other patient savings programs, and therefore may be a more economical option for women seeking relief from common symptoms of menopause such as "hot flashes" and "night sweats."

About the Survey

The NPWH posted a 30-question survey online. NPWH members responded to the survey between December 23, 2009 and February 17, 2010. The survey questions evaluated respondent demographics, estrogen therapy prescribing trends, knowledge of available therapies, recognition of misconceptions surrounding estrogen therapy and their perception of patient attitudes about menopause and estrogen therapy options. A total of 909 NPWH members responded to the survey. The response to the estrogen therapy survey is one of the highest in NPWH's history.

NPWH

The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health was founded in 1980. NPWH's mission is to assure the provision of quality health care to women of all ages by nurse practitioners. NPWH represents nurse practitioners that provide care to women in the primary care setting as well as in women's health specialty practices. NPWH is a trusted source of information on nurse practitioner education, practice and women's health issues.

NPWH developed and launched the campaign with financial support from Upsher-Smith Women's Health.

For more information visit: www.ETIQ.info.

Important Safety Information about Estrogen

Estrogen therapy isn't for everyone.  It should not be used by women who have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke or heart attack in the past year, currently have or have had blood clots or liver problems, or think they may be pregnant.  Using estrogens may increase the risk of uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, blood clot, or dementia.

The most common side effects for all estrogen products are headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss.  The less common but serious side effects include breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, stroke, heart attack, blood clots, dementia, gallbladder disease, ovarian cancer, vaginal yeast infection, breast tenderness, and vaginal bleeding.

Estrogen is available only by prescription and should be used at the lowest possible dose only for as long as needed.  Because every woman is unique, it is important that they talk with their healthcare provider about the benefits, risks, and side effects of any therapy they choose.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.