Bones are living parts of the body that are constantly breaking down and rebuilding, a process called remodeling. As you age, your bones break down faster than they rebuild, potentially leading to osteoporosis and other issues.
Women must consider bone health as they approach menopause because of the risk of osteoporosis. If you're approaching menopause, start thinking about how to keep your bones healthy.
When you don't know where to begin, Dr. Darin L. Weyhrich and his team provide support to women in menopause at his office in Boise, Idaho. He's an experienced and board-certified OB/GYN who offers tips and lifestyle strategies to keep bones healthy and strong.
Menopause is a stage of life every woman goes through; it marks the end of the childbearing years. As menopause approaches, crucial hormones decrease, including estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen is a vital aspect of bone health. When you're young, it regulates menstruation and helps keep your bones healthy. But during menopause, estrogen drops significantly, putting you at risk for increased bone loss and osteoporosis.
According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, about 80% of Americans with osteoporosis are women. They also report that one in two women will break a bone from osteoporosis over 50.
The closer you get to menopause, the more at risk you are for bone loss and, potentially, osteoporosis. The good news is that you can improve your bone health with a healthy lifestyle and expert tips from our team.
The most significant risk with menopause and bone health is osteoporosis, which happens when the bones become less dense. When bone density drops, your risk of fracture increases, sometimes not even from an injury.
Women in menopause are more likely to develop osteoporosis due to the drop in estrogen production. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become extremely brittle and less dense. The result is weak bones prone to breaking from the slightest injury.
Over time, untreated osteoporosis leads to chronic pain from spine fractures, loss of mobility, and postural changes. It increases the risk of falls and impacts your psychological and mental health.
Osteoporosis doesn't have to be an issue during menopause. It's crucial to consider bone health before going through menopause. Caring for your body and bones earlier in life is the best way to combat bone loss and fractures.
Dr. Weyhrich recommends various lifestyle tips and treatments for women in menopause who are at risk for osteoporosis, and they include:
Calcium is essential for bone health; vitamin D helps the body absorb it. If you can't get enough of these vitamins through your diet, talk to Dr. Weyhrich about supplements.
Eat a healthy diet that contains various vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin D. This will allow you to maintain a healthy weight, which will take pressure off the bones and prevent fractures.
Weight-bearing exercises are especially important during menopause. They keep the bones strong by moving the body against gravity, which puts stress on the bones and strengthens them. Walking, weight training, and low-impact aerobics are great weight-bearing exercises.
If you're dealing with unwanted symptoms of menopause and are at risk for osteoporosis, HRT may be a viable option. The benefit of HRT is that it combats menopause symptoms while also reducing bone loss through estrogen.
We offer various forms of HRT, which we will discuss at your appointment. Dr. Weyhrich recommends the best one for your needs and bone health.
Call our office in Boise, Idaho, today to discuss menopause and osteoporosis treatments, or book an appointment online to see Darin L. Wehyrich, MD.
