A qualitative study on impacting factors for treatment choices regarding gynaecological complaints with focus on herbal medicines

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Objectives: Gynaecological complaints have a high prevalence, yet affected women are unsatisfied with current treatment options. In particular younger women seek for natural solutions replacing hormone preparations, analgesics and antibiotics, which are prescribed by default. There is growing demand for knowledge on alternatives and factors influencing treatment habits. This study aims to identify these factors and learn how satisfied women are with their medication care. Materials and Methods: We developed an online survey for patients having gynaecological complaints and complementarily for Health Care Professionals (HCPs). The survey contains items on lifestyle, general wellbeing, medication, perceived efficacy, tabu, and knowledge about herbal medicines (HMs) as well as questions about the professional field of physicians, their experience, their level of literacy on HMs, and their assessment of HMs. The two questionnaires are disseminated via a survey spreading platform. Results: Results of our pilot study reveal that patients are interested in alternative medication while displaying a huge lack of knowledge in this context. The majority didn’t consult a HCP and didn’t take sick leave because they felt that they have to stand their symptoms. Most participants taking HMs perceived a mild to strong improvement and only a few reported minor side effects. Comparing indications, patients suffering from uncomplicated cystitis used herbal products more often than those having menstrual or menopausal complaints. Conclusion: Our collection and analysis of real-world data contributes to gain insight into the effectiveness of HMs and identify factors influencing treatment habits of women with gynaecological ailments in Germany. Publication History Article published online: 01 October 2024 © 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

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