I’m in Menopause. Am I Doomed to Get Osteoporosis?

Menopause marks a big shift in your body — the end of your fertility — and it's notorious for causing bothersome symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and vaginal atrophy. 

It can also impact your bone health. Because estrogen helps protect your bones, the drop in estrogen during menopause can speed up bone loss. That’s why osteoporosis — a condition where your bones become weak and more likely to break — is more common after menopause. 

But here’s the good news: Menopause doesn’t mean you’re doomed to develop osteoporosis. And what better time to talk about it than Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day (October 18th)? 

Read on as Melita Tate, MD, at Grassroots Healthcare in Tulsa, Oklahoma, explains how you can manage menopause symptoms and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

Why menopause increases your risk of osteoporosis

Estrogen helps promote good bone density. When your estrogen levels decline, your bones can lose mass more quickly. Without protection, women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the first 5–7 years after menopause. 

In the United States, 1.9 million fragility fractures happen each year. These fractures can lead to hospital admissions, loss of independence, and long-term disability. That’s why prevention and early intervention are your best defenses against osteoporosis-related fractures.

How to lower your risk of osteoporosis

You can take steps to protect your bones, even after menopause. 

Exercise regularly

Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or dancing help keep your bones strong by stimulating bone growth. 

Strength training is also important because it builds muscle that supports your bones and improves balance, which lowers your risk of falls. You can lift free weights, use the machines at the gym, or even go for a walk with a weight vest.

As a bonus, exercise can also help you manage menopause symptoms like mood swings and weight gain.

Eat plenty of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods

Calcium is the building block of strong bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb that calcium. Dairy products, leafy greens, salmon, and fortified foods (like juice and cereal) are all great sources. 

If you’re not getting enough from your diet, Dr. Tate may recommend supplements to fill the gap.

Limit alcohol

Too much alcohol can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb calcium and can weaken your bones. It may also raise your risk of falls and fractures. Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day can help protect your bone health.

Avoid smoking

Smoking speeds up bone loss by interfering with estrogen levels and reducing blood flow to your bones. It also raises your risk of fractures and slows healing if a break does occur. 

Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your bones as well as your overall health.

How hormone therapy can help

Hormone therapy helps restore declining estrogen levels after menopause, which not only relieves symptoms like hot flashes but also slows bone loss and lowers your risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

At Grassroots Healthcare, we use bioidentical hormone therapy that closely mimics the hormones your body naturally produces but comes from plant sources like yams.

Dr. Tate prescribes EvexiPEL® bioidentical hormones from Evexias® to rebalance your natural hormone levels and relieve symptoms of menopause. 

These hormones are delivered in grain-sized pellets implanted just beneath your skin and release a steady stream of estradiol into your bloodstream. If pellets aren’t right for you, topical hormone gels and creams are also available.

Prioritize your bone health this October

Menopause doesn’t have to mean bone loss and fractures are in your future. With the right care, you can protect your bone health and stay active for years to come.

Schedule an appointment with Grassroots Healthcare today. You can contact us by phone or online.