Did you know that of the approximately 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, nearly eight million are women? What’s more, one-in-two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
These figures demonstrate that women have a far greater chance of developing osteoporosis than men.
They also beg a number of questions, including: Why are women more susceptible to osteoporosis? Does menopause affect osteoporosis? What factors influence a woman’s risk for osteoporosis?
To find out the answers to these questions, read on.
Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Menopause Than Men?
Women are more likely to experience osteoporosis because they have smaller and thinner bones compared to men.
Declining estrogen levels during menopause can also increase a woman’s chances of getting osteoporosis.
Does Menopause Affect Osteoporosis?
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that protects women’s bone. It starts to rapidly decline when a woman reaches menopause and can result in rapid and serious bone loss.
As such, menopause can increase a woman’s chances of developing osteoporosis.
What Factors Affect Your Chance of Getting Osteoporosis?
In addition to asking – Does menopause affect osteoporosis? – many women want to know how to assess their risk for the bone disorder.
There are two key factors that determine a woman’s risk for developing osteoporosis.
The first is the amount of bone density she has once she reaches menopause. Women who have greater bone mass are less likely to get osteoporosis than women who have low bone density when they reach menopause.
In addition, the rate at which a woman loses bone during menopause can significantly affect her risk for osteoporosis.
Especially since some women can experience up to a 20 percent decrease in bone density the first five-to-seven years of menopause.
Learn More About Menopause and Osteoporosis
For additional information about how menopause affects osteoporosis, please call our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with board-certified gynecologist Dr. Melinda Hall.