Avoiding Osteoporosis During Menopause

More than 80% of people who experience osteoporosis are women, which is largely due to the relationship between menopause and bone health. Osteoporosis occurs when your bones can’t keep up with replacing the calcium that your body takes from them, which leads to bone loss.

Board-certified gynecologist, Gary Willen, MD, provides menopause care including hormone therapy at Tahoe Women’s Care in Carson City, Nevada. Although osteoporosis isn’t reversible, you can slow its progression with treatment. If you develop signs of osteoporosis, Dr. Willen can guide you on steps to prevent broken bones.

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. Read on to find out what you can do to avoid osteoporosis during menopause.

The relationship between menopause and bone health

You’re in menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, which is usually sometime in your 40s or 50s (although some women reach menopause earlier or later than the average). Menopause involves fluctuations and an eventual sharp drop in estrogen, a hormone your ovaries produce.

One of estrogen’s roles is supporting your bone health. It slows the natural breakdown of bone material. So, with less estrogen, your bones break down faster.

Osteoporosis has no symptoms at first for most people. As it progresses, you may experience back pain. You might break bones easily if you fall.

Keeping your bones healthy naturally during menopause

There are steps you can take to slow the progression of osteoporosis by supporting your overall bone health. The earlier you start supporting your bone health with lifestyle changes, the less likely you’ll experience osteoporosis in menopause.

Dr. Willen recommends that you:

Stop smoking and using tobacco
Stop drinking alcohol (or drink only in moderation)
Start weight training (exercising with weights or your own body weight) to get stronger
Eat a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods
Take calcium and other supplements (but consult your doctor first)

You can also take steps to prevent falls to avoid fractures related to osteoporosis. Remove trip hazards from your home, like loose rugs and extension cords, and use extra caution while walking on slippery surfaces. If necessary, use a cane or walker to stay steady.

How hormone therapy can help

Some women benefit from hormone therapy to slow bone loss from menopause-related osteoporosis. Hormone therapy can treat other uncomfortable menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal discomfort too.

Hormone therapy replaces the estrogen once produced by your ovaries. Dr. Willen can tell you more about different forms of hormone replacement therapy including pills, vaginal rings, topical creams, and skin patches. He monitors you while you’re on hormone therapy and may adjust your dose as needed.