Osteoporosis (cont.)
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Medical Editor:
Catherine Burt Driver, MD
Catherine Burt Driver, MDCatherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group. In this Article
 Hormone therapy (menopausal hormone therapy)
Comment on this
Estrogen hormone therapy after menopause (previously referred to as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) has been shown to prevent bone loss, increase bone density, and prevent bone fractures. It is useful in preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Estrogen is available orally (Premarin, Estrace, Estratest, and others) or as a skin patch (Estraderm, Vivelle, and others). Estrogen also is available in combination with progesterone as pills and patches. Progesterone is routinely given along with estrogen to prevent uterine cancer that might result from estrogen use alone. Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) may take estrogen alone since they no longer have a uterus to become cancerous. Nasally delivered estrogen and lower-dose combination pills of estrogen and progesterone are also being studied. However, due to adverse effects of HRT, such as increased risks of heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the veins, and breast cancer; HRT is no longer recommended for long-term use in the therapy of osteoporosis. Rather, HRT is used short term to relieve menopausal hot flashes. Every woman needs to have an individualized discussion regarding HRT with her doctor because each woman will place different weight on the risks and benefits of the treatment. Reviewed by Catherine Burt Driver, MD on 6/6/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Osteoporosis - Treatment
Question: What treatment has been effective for your osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis - Share Your Experience
Question: Please share your experience with osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis - Risk Factors and Causes
Question: Did you have any risk factors for osteoporosis at the time of your diagnosis? What were they?
Osteoporosis - Lifestyle Changes
Question: What lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking or alcohol), if any, have you made to manage your osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis - Hormone Therapy Experience
Question: Have you been prescribed hormone therapy to treat your osteoporosis? What was your experience?
Osteoporosis - Medications
Question: What medications have you been prescribed to treat your osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis - Complications
Question: Have you had any complications related to your osteoporosis? If so, what were they?
Osteoporosis - Symptoms
Question: What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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