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At menopause (usually around age 45), women's bodies stop
producing the hormone estrogen, contributing to short-term
symptoms (hot flashes) and increasing long-term health risks
(heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis). Many women undergo
hormone replacment therapy (HRT) to combat these risks, although
treatment may cause other complications, including weight
gain, pelvic discomfort, breast tenderness and mood changes.
A
study of 128 elderly women with low bone mass (a risk factor
for osteoporosis) investigated whether low-level hormone replacement
could reduce these side effects while still providing the
same benefits (especially in terms of bone mass) as higher-level
HRT. Women received hormone replacement or a placebo for 3.5
years, and bone density of the spine, hip, forearm and total
body was measured at six-month intervals. Calcium and vitamin
D supplements were also provided to both groups during the
study period.
 Bone density of the spine, forearm and total body increased
significantly in the hormone replacement group compared to
the placebo group. Most encouraging was the observation that
the usual side effects of HRT were generally mild and short-lived,
often disappearing within six months.
To learn more about the pros and cons of hormone replacment
therapy, and to get more information on what you can do to
prevent bone loss, now and after menopause, contact your doctor.
You can also access information on womenıs health on line
at https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/women.html.
Reference:
Recker RR, Davies KM, Dowd RM, et al. The effect of low-dose
continuous estrogen and progesterone therapy with calcium
and vitamin D on bone in elderly women. Annals of Internal
Medicine, June 1999: Vol. 130, pp897-904
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