Hormone Replacement Therapy & Osteoporosis

Menopause occurs when there is not enough supply of estrogen in the body. With the absence of this important hormone in a woman’s body, there are lot of adjustments to be done and changes to prepare for. Studies show that the loss of estrogens accelerates bone loss in the span of five to eight years. One of the most common areas affected by the loss of estrogen in the body is the skeletal system—specifically the bones that lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, as defined, pertains to the thinning of the bones.

As the bones become thinner and thinner, it becomes weaker and breaks more easily. The bones that are often affected include those of the spine, wrists, and hips.

Many studies have shown hormone replacement therapy HRT (where drugs are used to restore estrogen and progesterone levels that are lost due to menopause. ) to be the most effective treatment for the maintenance of bone size and strength and for the prophylaxis of bone fractures. This kind of treatment must be taken for fifteen to twenty years to prevent osteoporosis effectively. After three years of treatment, menopausal women who receive estrogen therapy have about ten percent more bone than those not on this form of treatment.

Many women have chosen this course of treatment to decrease menopause symptoms. However, there are issues to consider. While HRT can be a blessing for some, it can also be a curse for others. Although it is reported to maintain strong bones and prevent heart disease, it can also increase the risk of breast cancer. In addition, it may assert itself by invoking side affects which can affect a woman’s life. Hormone replacement therapy is a powerful tool against osteoporosis because it not only reduces the loss of bone minerals, but also slows the loss of collagen from the deeper layers of the skin and it is said that this effect slows the rate of aging of the skin. It is safe to say that hormone replacement therapy is good not only for your inner layers but for your outer layer as well.

Posture Corrective Brace

However, it should be remembered that long-term use of HRT is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. Calcitonin is another hormone that breaks down a bone; its supplements are injected for treatment of osteoporosis. Biphosphates are injected as a treatment to decrease the effects of osteoclasts, which leads to less bone breaking down, without a decrease in bone density. This is ideally taken daily, once a week or once monthly. Those past menopause who do not take HRT take an oral medication of Raloxifene, which acts like estrogen in some parts of the body without actually causing a general estrogen effect.