Menopause and osteoporosis are related in that bone loss after menopause can lead to osteoporosis. Postmenopausal bone loss is caused by more bone resorption than formation, leading to an average drop of 25 % in women’s peak bone mass. This happens because of the decrease in estrogen during the menopausal transition period and after menopause, which causes a decrease in women’s bone mass. Osteoporosis can occur when your peak bone mass is significantly lower than normal due to estrogen deficiency, making bones more likely to fracture.
Menopause can cause bone loss as a result of the drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen protects bones and when it drops, bone mass decreases. Menopause is when a woman has not had menstrual periods for 12 months and usually occurs between 45 and 50 years of age. It is sometimes caused by prolonged periods or early menopause due to a drop in hormone levels. This can cause an increased level of bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis if women reach menopause before they reach their peak bone mass.
Reduced bone mass, or low bone density, is a common symptom of menopause. This can make it more difficult for women to get their bones to reach their peak bone mass before menopause, increasing their risk of getting osteoporosis. Low bone mass is also a factor in the development of osteoporosis in later life. Combined with other factors such as decreased estrogen levels and age, this can increase risk factors for getting osteoporosis. In fact, more than half of Caucasian women aged 50 or older have reduced peak bone mass which can cause the onset of osteoporosis in later life. Estrogen levels decline with age and this plays a major role in the development of low bone mass and the occurrence of osteoporosis.
Lower levels of estrogen are associated with a decrease in bone mineral density, and also lead to an increased risk of fractures. In addition, there is a correlation between menopause and low bone mineral density. Women who have gone through menopause have a higher risk of osteoporosis due to the reduced amount of estrogen in their bodies. Studies have also shown that older women who use estrogen therapy have a lower probability of fractures due to osteoporosis. Although there is no direct link between menopause and osteoporosis, it is clear from different studies that they are related.
