German Association: Osteoporosis attacks women after menopause | health

The German Menopause Society said that osteoporosis particularly attacks women after menopause.

The association explained that with the onset of menopause, the hormonal balance changes radically, and estrogen production decreases significantly, which negatively affects bone health. Natural bone loss accelerates, while bone formation slows down, leading to loss of bone density, and thus the risk of fractures increases significantly.

In addition to hormonal changes, the causes of osteoporosis include:

– Family history

– Calcium and vitamin D deficiency

– Parathyroid gland diseases, which affect bone metabolism

– Lack of exercise

– Smoking

– Eating disorders

– Chronic inflammatory bowel disease

– Rheumatic diseases

– Metabolic disorders

How to diagnose

Bone density measurement is an important diagnostic procedure, and this examination involves using X-rays to measure the mineral content in the bones, usually in the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

The so-called “T-score” indicates bone loss.

Blood tests also provide important information about this; The levels of calcium, vitamin D, phosphate and other values ​​important for bone metabolism are checked.

Ways of confrontation

To confront the risk of osteoporosis and its serious consequences, menopausal women should continue exercising. Sports increase mobility and muscle mass.

It is also important to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D because of their importance for bone health, while working to lose excess weight and quit smoking.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment aims primarily to reduce the risk of bone fractures, and these medications can be divided into two groups:

· Antiresorptive medications: These medications slow bone density loss, and include bisphosphonates or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as raloxifene. The latter mimic the effect of estrogen in protecting bones, without being hormones themselves.

· Bone-strengthening medications: These active substances promote bone formation, including parathyroid hormone, which works to regulate calcium metabolism and strengthen bones.