What you need to know about Menopause and Bone Health
Before the onset of Menopause, our bones constantly renew, but after Menopause, this rate slows down as the levels of Oestrogen fall. This then leads to thinning of the bones. Osteoporosis is when the bones are very thin and have poor strength. Thin bones can lead to an increased risk of fractures, even from simple falls.
The problem with Osteoporosis is that you won’t know you have it. There are no symptoms and often it is diagnosed only after you have had a fracture. So, prevention is very important. You have a higher risk of developing Osteoporosis if you have a low body mass index, a family history, have medical conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes or Rheumatoid Arthritis, early menopause, smoke or have a sedentary lifestyle.
So, what can be done to help prevent this?
Weight-bearing exercise, but this doesn’t have to mean going to the gym, walking is good enough. Avoid smoking, limit alcohol, increase dietary Calcium and Vitamin D.
But what does a diagnosis of Osteoporosis mean for the perimenopausal or menopausal woman? Well, it means that treatment is needed and previously Bisphosphonates, a medication to strengthen and reduce the risk of bones breaking, was used, but HRT is a recognised treatment for prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis.
https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/treatment/hormone-replacement-therapy/
Would you like to speak to a specialist?
If you’d like to speak to a specialist about bone health or any other aspect of menopause then book an appointment now with our menopause team, led by Dr Verity Biggs, here.
