Osteoporosis (cont.)
Hormone therapy (menopausal hormone therapy)
Menopausal hormone therapy (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 is also 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. Nasally
delivered estrogen and lower-dose combination pills of estrogen and progesterone
are also being studied. However, due to adverse effects of menopausal hormone
therapy, such as increased risks of
heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the
veins, and breast cancer; menopausal hormone therapy is no
longer recommended for long-term use in the therapy of osteoporosis. Rather,
menopausal hormone therapy is used short-term to relieve
menopausal hot
flashes.
Every woman needs to have an individualized discussion
regarding estrogen replacement with her doctor because each woman will have a different balance of risk and benefit
expected from hormone therapy. For more, please read the Hormone Therapy
article.
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