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Objective: To assess Israeli women gynecologists toward their own health, their health related behaviors and to assess attitude towards and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: Ninety five actively employed hospital and community women gynecologist completed a questionnaire on attitude towards self-health, way of life, smoking habits, and regular breast, blood, pap smear examinations and HRT. Results: Mean BMI was 25.3 Kg/m2±4.2, 61% considered themselves above average weight, and only 39% estimated their weight as appropriate. Fifty six percent were on active weight-loss diets, and 35% were current smokers. Blood tests, pap smears and breast evaluations were regularly done by 73.4, 91.5, and 64.1%, respectively. Overall, 74% of the gynecologists had a positive opinion about HRT; 70% of the menopausal subgroup had ever used HRT, and 93.3% of the perimenopausal subgroup intended to use it. The main reason for starting HRT was climacteric symptoms, and for stopping or avoiding HRT were equally bleeding, fear of cancer and adverse reactions towards HRT. By far the oral HRT mode was the most popular and 90% of users expressed satisfaction with treatment. Conclusions: Israeli women gynecologists are aware and maintain carefully their health, excluding cigarette smoking. The high rate of use and awareness of HRT among this group is encouraging considering that gynecologist serves as role model for the public and maintains the main source of HRT in the community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mounting evidence suggests possible adverse effects of intrauterine exposure to certain phenols and phthalates, two classes of endocrine disruptor chemicals, on the developing fetus, with consequences into later life. These findings have contributed to the replacement of some chemicals, such as di‑2‑ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA), in consumer products. For the current study we quantified urinary concentrations of biomarkers of exposure among 50 pregnant women in Israel to several phthalates, bisphenols and personal care product chemicals, as well as DEHP and BPA alternatives. We detected 14 of the 31 biomarkers in more than 90% of the women. We detected biomarkers of 1,2‑cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH), bisphenol S, and bisphenol F not as frequently (27-56%). This study is the first to evaluate exposure to triclosan, bisphenols, parabens, and phthalates and BPA alternatives among Israeli pregnant women., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the attitudes and prescription practices of gynecologists in the United States and Israel with regard to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal women. The current recommendations for the use of HRT for menopausal symptoms were reviewed., Design: An eight-item questionnaire was sent by electronic mail or posted to randomly selected members of The North American Menopause Society ( = 250) and the Israeli Menopausal Society ( = 250), all of whom were physician gynecologists., Results: Eighty-seven percent of the questionnaires ( = 435) were completed and were eligible for analysis. Results showed that 400 physicians (92%) routinely offered HRT to their menopausal patients. For women with an intact uterus, 72.5% preferred to use a continuous estrogen-progesterone regimen, and 27.5% preferred to use a sequential combined regimen. The treatment was prescribed for 10 years or more by 86.4% of the American gynecologists, compared with only 66.3% of the Israeli gynecologists ( = 0.001). Overall, the majority of physicians recommended alendronate for recalcitrant osteoporosis and dietary supplements for all women. However, significant differences were found between the American and Israeli groups: 71% of the Americans versus 55.6% of the Israelis prescribed alendronate ( = 0.02); 97.8% versus 71.33% recommended calcium and vitamin D; and 51.6% versus 38.8% recommended multivitamins ( = 0.001 for both groups). Phytoestrogens, alone or in combination with HRT, were recommended by 57.5% ( = NS between groups), and antidepressive drugs were prescribed by only 11% (15.1% of the Americans and 6.3% of the Israelis; = 0.001)., Conclusion: Most gynecologists recommend HRT during menopause. For women with an intact uterus, the preferred regimen was continuous-combined HRT with estrogen and progesterone. The treatment duration is subject to wide variations, from no time limit to discontinuation after 5 to 10 years. Dietary supplements as well as alendronate, alone or in combination with HRT, are popular for severe osteoporosis. We suggest that, until definitive guidelines become available, an individualized approach should be applied, with careful consideration of both the benefits and risks of treatment.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude towards menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among women of different ethnic groups in Israel., Methods: 292 postmenopausal women attending primary health-care centers in northern Israel were recruited. All women completed a questionnaire, which included information on demographics, health status, menopausal symptoms, attitude toward menopause, adequacy of counseling and experience with HRT., Results: Thirty-five percent of women were Arabic women. Most of the population categorized menopause as a positive and natural event, only 26% of the Arabic women thought of menopause as an illness-oriented event compared to 7.7% of the Jewish women. Half the Arabic women had never received information or been counseled about menopause and HRT, compared to 18% of the Jewish women. Menopausal symptoms showed a statistically significant improvement with HRT. However, only 40% of the Jewish women and 24% of the Arabic women used HRT., Conclusions: Only a relatively small percentage of Arabic women know about menopause and HRT use, probably because of the relatively low rate of counseling and information provided about menopause and HRT, and their lack of knowledge. Greater efforts are needed to promote a positive attitude to aging and menopause, increase awareness and knowledge. Providing greater access to information and support are essential steps in improving the women's health of the Arabic population in Israel during menopausal years.