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Women's Health

Gynecology

Menopause

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health risk directly linked to menopause. The lack of estrogen causes the cells that build new bone to be less active than cells that remove old bone - your bones are being torn down faster than they are being built up. The excessive loss of bone mass causes osteoporosis, a thinning and weakening of the bones. Osteoporosis increases your risk of a fracture and can lead to a loss of height and/or a humped back. This disease comes on silently - there are no warning signs and it is usually not detected until a fracture is suffered. It moves quickly with up to 20% of expected lifetime bone loss occurring within the first 5 to 7 years after menopause. It is also very common - 51 million American women over the age of 45 are at risk for osteoporosis.

Besides menopause, there are other risk factors that may predispose you to develop osteoporosis:

  • Age
  • Being Caucasian or Asian
  • A thin and/or small frame
  • Family history of osteoporosis

Likewise, there are other risk factors that you can control:

  • Alcohol intake
  • Exercise or activity
  • cigarette smoking
  • calcium intake

The good news is–osteoporosis is highly preventable and treatable. Although you cannot prevent the estrogen loss that occurs with menopause, there are steps you can take to take care of your bones, and your doctor can help you.

First, if you are under the age of 65 and have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis, you should have a bone density test performed. Over the age of 65, a bone density test should be performed whether any of the risk factors appear or not.

Possible Treatments

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy–HRT replaces the estrogen that your body no longer produces, thereby slowing down and even stopping the loss of bone mass.
  • Calcium Intake–Include more calcium-rich foods, such as milk and yogurt, in your diet, or consider taking a daily calcium supplement. Peri- and postmenopausal women taking estrogen need 1200 mg of calcium per day, and postmenopausal women not on estrogen require about 1500 mg per day (the average menopausal women only gets about 750 mg per day).
  • Vitamin D–Vitamin D is activated by the liver and kidneys to boost calcium absorption. Women age 51-70 require 400 units of vitamin D per day, and women over the age of 70 need 600 units. Vitamin D-fortified milk is one of the best food sources for this nutrient - one 8 oz. glass provides 100 units, or 25% of the daily requirement. Likewise, most vitamin supplements contain 100% of the daily requirement.
  • Exercise–Exercise can't stop bone loss, but the activity, especially walking, can slow down the pace of osteoporosis. In addition, exercise keeps muscles toned and strong, making falls less damaging. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking several days a week is all you need to increase strength and overall fitness.
  • Medications–Various medications are available that help preserve bone loss. Ask your doctor for further information on these treatments.