Did you know that there is a direct link between menopause and osteoporosis? Menopause impacts many aspects of your health, but it can also lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. In fact, women lose up to 10 percent of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause. Here’s what you need to know.
The Relationship Between Menopause and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, which means porous bones, a condition where the bones become structurally weak. This makes them more likely to fracture or break. Menopause is the most common cause of osteoporosis. Why? Because during menopause your hormones levels fluctuate and drop. Estrogen, which helps prevent bones from getting weaker, drops as well. This significantly speeds up bone loss.
Menopause and Osteoporosis
Studies show that up to 20% of bone loss can happen during menopause and approximately 1 in 10 women over the age of 60 have osteoporosis. Furthermore, 50% of postmenopausal women will have osteoporosis and most of them will suffer with fractures, pain, decreased mobility, decreased function, and decreased quality of life. It also raises mortality rates.
Improving Bone Health During Menopause
There are several things that you can do to improve your bone health and reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. For example:
- Exercising supports proper maintenance of the skeleton.
- Eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium improves bone health. Aim for 1,300mg of dietary calcium a day and maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
- Spending time outside in the sun triggers vitamin D production.
- Maintaining a healthy weight helps keep your bones strong.
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco consumption reduces the risk of bone loss.
- Limit caffeine intake
Treatment for Osteoporosis
While prevention is always the best route, it’s not always possible. However, it is never too late to treat osteoporosis. In fact, there are several treatment options for osteoporosis, including hormone replacement therapy.
To learn more about menopause and osteoporosis, and what you can do to prevent bone loss, please contact the Menopause Center today.