Menopause and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and menopause are directly linked with one another, especially in older women. Osteoporosis not only increases the risk of fractures but can also lead to loss of height as well. A silent disease, it usually comes without warning. For women especially osteoporosis is very common – over 51 million American women over the age of 45 are at risk for this deadly disease.

To clearly understand the relationship between osteoporosis and menopause, we also need to understand what happens to a women’s body during the menopausal process. Menopause is defined as “the occurrence of the last spontaneous menstrual period, resulting from the loss of ovarian function.”

During this period in a woman’s life, there are fluctuations in a women’s menstrual cycle and changes in her hormonal levels. Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of menopause and occur in the early stages of estrogen loss. Estrogen is a female hormone that is central to ensuring strong bones in women.

Other psychological symptoms like depression, insomnia, irritability and mood swings also occur. However, in the long run estrogen loss translates into loss of calcium from the bones, which causes the bones to become weak and brittle. Hence easier to break or fracture.

Many women experience rapid bone loss in the first 5 – 7 years of menopause, which leads to osteoporosis. As estrogen levels drop, there is accelerated bone loss. It is estimated that women can lose up to 10% of bone mass in the initial stages of menopause. So if the ideal bone mass for women is not achieved before menopause, then bone loss during menopause can cause osteoporosis.

Thus we can see how closely linked osteoporosis and menopause are. Coupled with traditional risk factors such as age and a small frame, women are in a high risk category to develop osteoporosis. Women of Caucasian or Asian race in particular have a increased risk of developing this disease.

Hormone Replacement Therapy to reduce Osteoporosis
To combat osteoporosis in women, hormone replacement therapy is now used as the first line of defense. Estrogen Replacement Therapy needs to begin as soon as menopause is over, as it is estimated that women lose 10% of bone mass every year without estrogen.

Low estrogen doses are given to women in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular exercising and not smoking. Research has proved that these doses provide tremendous benefits to women in treating osteoporosis, as they slow down and in some cases even stop the loss of bone mass.

Women also need to up their calcium intake, by including plenty of calcium rich foods in their diets, such as yogurt, milk and cheese. Calcium supplements should also be taken under advisement from the doctor. Vitamin D boosts the absorption of calcium in the body.

A glass of Vitamin D fortified milk is a good way of getting Vitamin D. Vitamin supplements should also be taken, as the average women aged 51-70 needs 400 units of Vitamin D per day. Direct exposure to sunlight, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver are good sources of vitamin D.

Exercise also slows down the onset of osteoporosis. Walking, swimming, jogging and light aerobic workouts are all great ways to exercise the body, for women without doing any damage to their bones. Also speak to your physician about the various medications available that help to prevent loss of bone mass.