Addressing Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women
One in two postmenopausal women will get osteoporosis, a condition that thins bones and makes them more likely to break. Often called the “silent disease” or the “silent thief,” osteoporosis effectively “steals” bone mass without you even knowing it — until that first bone breaks.
More than half of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and more than 25 percent of men over age 55 with the disease will break a bone in their lifetime, resulting in an estimated 37 million fractures each year (that’s 70 fractures every minute!).
But there are ways to reduce the fracture risk associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis: This practical information from the Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group is a great place to start.
What is postmenopausal osteoporosis?
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is just what the name implies: It’s osteoporosis that develops after a woman goes through menopause (usually in her 40s or 50s, although the average age for an American woman is 51).
While many women don’t know they have the condition until their first fracture, there may be noticeable signs, including height loss, a stooping of the shoulders or curving of the spine, and back pain.
Whether you have signs or not, you should have a bone density screening to determine your risk for osteoporosis by the time you reach age 65 (if not earlier).
What causes postmenopausal osteoporosis?
Estrogen levels
During menopause, estrogen levels start to fluctuate and then drop. Since estrogen helps prevent bones from getting weaker and slows down the natural breakdown of bone, this lack of estrogen decreases bone density and increases the risk of osteoporosis.
In fact, a direct relationship has been found between decreasing levels of estrogen during menopause and an increased risk for postmenopausal women developing osteoporosis.
Age
Because bones become weaker as you age, the older you are, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis. Women who experience early menopause (before age 45) also are at a greater risk for developing postmenopausal osteoporosis because they’ve had decreased estrogen levels for a longer time.
Other factors
While the two primary causes of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women — hormone levels and age — are things you can’t change, to improve bone health and reduce your risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. These include participating in regular physical activity and exercise, eating a balanced diet that’s rich in calcium, avoiding smoking, and limiting your consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
But you don’t have to go it alone. The orthopedic team at Orlin & Cohen offers a range of services and treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Orthopedic Services for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be effective for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who have a low to moderate risk of fracture. A qualified therapist can help you improve your bone health and reduce the risk of falling, as well as recover from any falls that may have already occurred.
Working together with you and your orthopedic specialist, your physical therapist will tailor a treatment plan based on your age, current fitness level, and other risk factors. To improve your bone condition, the therapist will typically have you perform a variety of resistance and weight-bearing exercises using equipment like exercise bands and light weights.
Your therapist also may work with you on changes to your daily life that can help reduce your risk of injury. They may help you learn how to:
- Lift and pick up objects without using your back
- Get out of bed or up from a chair without twisting your spine
- Know when to ask for help
- Use assistive devices to help you reach, pick up, and carry various items
Want to meet with a licensed physical therapist? Request an appointment now.
Drug Therapies
If your postmenopausal osteoporosis is more serious, your orthopedic specialist may recommend estrogen replacement therapy or medications such as bisphosphonates or denosumab to slow bone loss and increase bone mass. Or your doctor may prescribe a bone-building medication like romosozumab, abaloparatide, or teriparatide. Find out more information about these medications here.
Are you or someone you love at risk for postmenopausal osteoporosis — or suffered a fracture because of it? Request an appointment with an Orlin & Cohen joint specialist or physical therapist now.
