Women who are considering taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be concerned about the possibility of developing osteoporosis later in life. There are some important things to understand about HRT and osteoporosis before beginning treatment with replacement therapy.

About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease generally considered to be caused by the fluctuation and drop of estrogen in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. The disease occurs progressively as a woman’s bones start to loose density, making them more brittle and prone to breakage. Often it is difficult--if not impossible--for a woman to detect if she has osteoporosis until something happens and she breaks a bone. This is because the disease has few noticeable symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that can reveal the possibility of the disease, such as hunched back. People with osteoporosis may also find it difficult to sit straight or stand up straight and may also find their height to be decreasing as their bones loose density and mass. Back pain and spinal deformities are other common symptoms of osteoporosis. Some of these symptoms may be caused by another disease, however, so it is important for any woman experiencing these symptoms to consult her doctor. Your doctor will able to use the latest x-ray technology to determine if you are suffering from osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy may be useful in alleviating the progression of osteoporosis in women who are undergoing a course of treatment for menopause. However, the ultimate effectiveness of replacement therapy as a treatment for osteoporosis is still to be determined. While the therapy may not be the most beneficial choice for women with a history of heart disease, stroke, or cancer, it may prove helpful for women with early signs of osteoporosis or for women who have already developed the disease.

Since osteoporosis is believed to be caused by the fluctuation and drop in estrogen during menopause, replacement therapy may help slow the progression of the disease because the therapy is primarily estrogen based, although some therapies also combine estrogen and progestin together. Maintaining therapeutic levels of estrogen may be the key to fighting osteoporosis as it lends bones a hand in regaining the density and strength they have lost.