Menopause and Osteoporosis

Posted by admin on August 16th, 2007 at 08:43am

Menopause and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has less to do with menopause and the lack of estrogen then it does with just the normal aging process. In fact, smoking, medications, and being underweight have a greater effect on bone loss then menopause. That’s why exercise is so important as it increases overall bone mass. While osteoporosis can lead to loss of height and tiny fractures, woman are also vulnerable to fractures of the hip. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary measures such as proper balanced diet, exercise and calcium and vitamin D suplements to prevent the loss of bone mass.
Further, your doctor may advise you to take a bone density test to determine just how much bone loss has occurred.
The bone density test encompasses taking an X-ray scan which can measure the bone density of your lumbar spine, because the spine is usually the first area to experience loss of bone mass. You probably don’t need a special scan to identify bone loss if you have lost height each year. However, if you have just begun perimenopause or are in the stages of menopause, it may be a good idea to have the test done now.

If after the test you are told your bone loss is minimal, you may decide to do nothing. But it is still important to keep your bones strong , you may wish to keep tabs on the progress of bone loss through regular tests. If, on the other hand, you are told that your rate of bone loss is significant, you may want to take a proactive approach to prevent osteoporosis.

The most effective way to maintain the strength of your bones requires a combination of lifestyle changes and dietary measures, such as: discontinue smoking; exercise 30 minutes a day, three or four days a week; ensure you are following a nutritional diet, with sufficient amounts calcium; exercise caution to prevent falls; and included vitamin D supplements in your dietary regimen.
Clearly, osteoporosis can rear its ugly head at some point. But you can take appropriate action to ensure you are doing everything you can to prevent the onset or, at the very least, stopping its progression.

Under Female Menopause