- Researchers investigated the link between hormone therapy and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
- They found that multiple modes of hormone therapy increase bone mineral density, and effects remain even after treatment withdrawal.
- Further studies are needed to confirm the results.
Bone remodeling is a process in which old bone is resorbed and replaced by new healthy bone.
During menopause, when estrogen levels fall, bone resorption occurs faster than new bone can form, leading to bone loss and structural deterioration.
Low bone mineral density is indicative of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by reduced bone strength and increased fracture risk.
An estimated
Hormone therapy is widely used to prevent and manage osteoporosis. However, studies focusing on the withdrawal effects of hormonal therapy on bone mineral density have produced conflicted results.
While some studies report that the protective effects of hormone therapy persist after hormone therapy withdrawal, others suggest that stopping hormone therapy leads to
Knowing more about the effects of withdrawal from hormone therapy on bone mineral density could inform treatment options and trajectories.
Recently, researchers analyzed healthcare data to understand the effects of hormone therapy on bone mineral density over time.
From their dataset, they found that increases in lumbar spine bone mineral density persist even after discontinuation of hormone therapy. The lumbar spine consists of the five bones, or vertebrae, in the lower back.
The study’s findings appear in Menopause.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 6,031 postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 89 years old. Among them:
- 33% were unexposed to hormone therapy
- 32% had used or were using combined contraceptive pills
- 10% had used or were using estrogen-only pills
- 1% had used or…
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