Latin American physicians report practice changes after revised FDA menopausal hormone therapy warning

The REDLINC XIV multicenter cross-sectional study, published in Menopause, surveyed 2,166 physicians caring for peri- and postmenopausal women across 13 Latin American countries. The anonymous survey assessed awareness and perceived clarity of a revised FDA communication on the menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) boxed warning, alongside self-reported practice changes and prescribing patterns. Obstetrician-gynecologists accounted for 75.7% of respondents and endocrinologists for 9.0%.

Overall, 80.7% were aware of the revised communication. Among respondents, 90.5% believed the previous warning had overestimated breast cancer risk, while 78.9% considered the revised communication more balanced. Practice changes were reported by 59.4%, but only 18.7% reported increased MHT prescribing. Changes in explanations of breast cancer risk were reported by 53.3%, and 40.4% reported spending more time on patient education and shared decision-making.

Physicians with 20 or fewer years of experience and those outside obstetrics-gynecology or endocrinology were more likely to report that the revised statement would influence therapeutic decisions. The findings suggest a perceived effect on counseling more often than increased prescribing. However, the cross-sectional design, self-reported data and potential selection bias limit interpretation. Physicians’ opinions about breast cancer risk do not constitute evidence of MHT safety, and the survey cannot establish that the communication caused practice changes.