Overview
Doctors prescribe estrogen to replace the hormones lost during menopause and to slow bone loss.
Detailed Description
Doctors sometimes prescribe estrogen to replace the hormones lost during menopause and to slow the rate of bone loss. This treatment is called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT may also protect against heart disease and stroke. Women who take HRT for several years keep their bone density and have a lower occurrence of hip and wrist factors than women who do not take it.
However, experts do not know all the risks of long-term use of HRT. It has a potential association with risk of serious health problems, such as uterine cancer and breast cancer. Therefore, many doctors only recommend HRT for women at high risk of osteoporosis.
Women should discuss benefits, risks, and possible side effects of HRT with their doctors. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone that increases bone density in the spine and can reduce pain of fractures. It can be used instead of HRT, but is recommended only for women with a definite indication of osteoporosis. It comes in two forms—injection or nasal sprays—and can be quite expensive.
Last updated: 11-Nov-02
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