Is hormone therapy playing crucial role in the osteoporosis treatment?

 

Osteoporosis, a condition that causes a lack of muscle strength and structural stability, is one of the most common causes of fracture. It is also one of the most dangerous and complex to treat. Osteoporosis is the gradual loss of bone density and increased susceptibility to fractures. This condition was first identified as the skeleton's inability to efficiently absorb and store calcium, causing a decreased ability to withstand injury or disease. The increasing age of the population and genetic is contributing to the increased prevalence of osteoporosis as well as the increased incidence of fracture in this population.

In addition to genetics, another common cause of osteoporosis is women's menstrual cycle and menopause. Menopause puts a woman at high risk for osteoporosis because her hormones change dramatically during this time. Women who have not yet undergone menopause are at particularly high risk. Estrogen, the hormone that regulates the strength and thickness of the bones, is reduced during menopause and the hormone therapy that many women take to replace estrogen can actually make their bones weaker.

Hormone therapy, bone-strengthening medication, or a combination of both are some of the common treatments used. However, hormone therapy can increase the risk of breast cancer, and some studies have also suggested an increased risk of stroke in women who have entered into menopause. Another osteoporosis treatment option is to take a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D. Research has indicated that calcium supplements can help prevent fractures and promote bone formation, but taking too much can increase the risk of bleeding and gastrointestinal problems. Taking a Vitamin D supplement alone, without a Vitamin D supplement, has been shown to be effective in promoting bone density.

In case, these medicines are not effective there is other medicine also available in the market. These medications are referred to as anticoagulants. Some of these medications, like Warfarin, are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.