Menopause

You may not be fully aware of the fact that the menopause does actually have quite a large effect on Osteoporosis, and generally most women do tend to get it as they get older. This is down to the fact that you have lower estrogen levels and if left naturally, you are likely to get Osteoporosis.

Why the Menopause Effects Osteoporosis

When you go through the menopause, your estrogen levels drop. They do not increase again and it is a long term effect. This drop in estrogen affects all parts of the body, especially the bones. Osteoblasts are within our bodies and they are used to build up more bone. However, the lack of estrogen causes the cells to not place new bone down quick enough and that means that the bones tend to be stripped down quicker than they can be rebuilt. That is when Osteoporosis comes in.

Many people think that by increasing their calcium intake, they can strengthen their bones but it is simply not true once the menopause has kicked in. Calcium is important as you are growing and it is equally important after the age of 60, but during the menopause it is in fact useless in preventing Osteoporosis. There are things which can be done however and estrogen replacement during the menopause is one of those things.

One of the worst things about Osteoporosis is the fact that it has no warning signs. You do not usually realise that something is wrong until you actually suffer from a fracture of some kind. That is when you will find that your bones have weakened and tests will show that you do in fact have Osteoporosis. As for what Osteoporosis does for your health, it can be extremely depressing. Many older women with Osteoporosis suffer from a hunched back and they tend to also lose a little height too.

How the Problem Can be Treated

The reason not every woman has Osteoporosis when they get older and go through the menopause, is the fact that it is treatable. Through various medical treatments, it is completely possible to stop the body from developing Osteoporosis. HRT is one of those treatments yet it still has a slight stigma attached to it.

Overall there is something that can be done about this unavoidable problem, you just have to speak to your doctor to see which medical treatment they advise. As long as you know what the menopause can lead to, you can do everything in your power to ensure that you are protected.

Smoking And The Menopause |