Osteoporosis and Menopause

By Ellen Dolgen

Osteoporosis is a common disorder among post-menopausal women. Studies show that one in two women ages 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

So, what is Osteoporosis?

According to the (NOF) National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the body to lose too much bone, make too little bone, or both. Osteoporosis means porous bone.  When our bones are viewed under a microscope, a healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. One with osteoporosis has more significant spaces and holes. The osteoporotic bone has less density or mass and contains abnormal tissue. When bones become less dense, they weaken and break easily.

Bone loss is a silent process. The transition to menopause is the time when bone loss accelerates due to the loss of estrogen.  It is important to note that there is no cure for osteoporosis. The foundation did a survey and found that a majority of postmenopausal women were unaware that fracture is a risk factor for osteoporosis. They stress that women should not ignore fragility fractures as clumsiness, but instead think of them as a sign that they need bone health intervention.

Do you have healthy bones?  How do you maintain your bone health?

• If you are menopausal get your bone health checked!To determine bone density, you’ll need to schedule a bone scan or bone mineral density (BMD) test. The most common – and most accurate – test is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Try saying that real fast! The bones most commonly tested are those in the spine and hip, and sometimes the forearm is added. If you’re worried about radiation, have no fears. A DXA scan uses low-dose X-rays. According to the National Institutes of Health, you receive more radiation from a chest x-ray.
• Check your hormonesand speak with your menopause specialist about the effects of estrogen loss on your bone health.  According to NOF, MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy) is approved for the prevention of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. It reduces bone loss, increases bone density in the spine and hip, and reduces the risk of fractures in this area.
• Nutrition: Diet is important. A diet of 5 servings of fruits and green leafy vegetables will help! Check out this excellent list of bone-healthy foods! 
• Exercise:We know it helps everything! But especially our bones. Balance exercises are helpful. Weight-bearing exercises and muscle strengthening are essential. Check out this great list.
• Calcium:Speak to your healthcare professional and find out if you are calcium deficient. You may be getting enough calcium from the food you eat. If not, figure out what you are getting and then supplement. Here is the NOF’s recommendation; Women age 50 and younger – 1,000 mg daily and women age 51 and older – 1,2000 mg daily. There is some new info on the impact of low calcium and heart disease risk. You can read more about this
• Vitamin D:Get your D3 checked as it plays a vital role in keeping your bones healthy and able to absorb calcium. There are three ways to get Vit D – sunlight, food, & supplements.  According to the NOF the amount of supplementation also goes by age: Under 50 – 400-800 IU daily and 50 and older – 800-1,000 IU daily. Some people may need more. The safe upper limit is 4,000 IU daily, per the Institute of Medicine.
• Medication side effects:Some medications can cause Vit D deficiency such as anti-seizure meds.

If you’ve been diagnosed with osteopenia (This is a below normal bone density which can be a precursor to osteoporosis.) consult with your physician to determine the best course of action.

If you find out that you already have osteoporosis, there are many medications to consider.  NOF has a list here.

Please note that the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is meeting on October 11, 2017, and will be discussing osteoporosis. I am anxious to hear what the latest information is on the long-term effectiveness and safety of treatment with bisphosphonates and denosumab. Close to 20% of bone loss occurs within the first five years of menopause! I am anxious to report on NAMS findings. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out those bones!  Find out if you are losing bone mass and need to replace that loss. It is always better to be proactive about your health as opposed to reactive.

Keep the “O” in the bedroom and out of your bones!

Remember:  Suffering in silence is OUT!  Reaching out is IN.

For more great tips on how to find a menopause specialist and deal with menopause, download my free eBook: MENOPAUSE MONDAYS  the Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause.

Be sure to sign up for my fun YouTube Videos!

Ellen Dolgen, spurred by her own experience struggling with the symptoms of menopause, is devoted to helping women everywhere. Through EllenDolgen.com and her FREE eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause, she shares the expertise of numerous specialists to replace confusion and embarrassment with medically sound solutions, presented in an entertaining and informative way. From hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, mental fogginess, loss of libido, heart health, and lots more in between, EllenDolgen.com provides empowerment for women to become their own best health advocates. Her motto is: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!