What is the Connection Between Menopause and Osteoporosis?

Many doctors agree that there is a strong connection between the onset of menopause, which is the point in a woman's life when her menstrual cycle begins to cease, and osteoporosis, which is a medical condition that is marked by a loss of tissue within the bones. It is believed that osteoporosis is related to menopause because, during menopause a woman's body begins to produce less estrogen. Although menopause is an unavoidable fact of life for women who reach a certain age — usually between 45 and 50 — there are a number of things that a woman can do to prevent osteoporosis.

As with many conditions, one of the best treatments for osteoporosis is preventative. While menopause and osteoporosis are linked it is not inevitable that one will follow the other. Exercise is important for women who are concerned with menopause and osteoporosis. By making both the muscles and the bones stronger, exercise helps to reduce bone loss. Diet is also very important. Women who are concerned with menopause and osteoporosis should be sure to get plenty of calcium as part of their daily diets. While supplements can be helpful, calcium can also come in the form of dairy products and green leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli.

In addition to getting plenty of calcium, women who are concerned about menopause and osteoporosis should also get plenty of vitamin D. This is because vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium. Making sure that the body is absorbing plenty of calcium is a good way to help keep the bones healthy and avoid brittleness. It is also recommended that women concerned with menopause and osteoporosis avoid smoking and limit their intake of alcohol.

There are also a number of medical treatments that can be used to treat menopause and osteoporosis. Hormone therapy, for example, is a treatment for women who have gone through menopause. Although it does involve some risk factors, it has been used to help prevent osteoporosis.

Women who are concerned with menopause and osteoporosis should consult with their doctors to find the best course of action. In some cases, women will have to undergo a bone density test to find out how strong or brittle their bones have become. Although bone mass that is lost cannot be replaced, there are a number of ways, some of which have already been described above, that can be used to prevent future bone loss and osteoporosis.