Osteoporosis

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Of all the discomforts and inconvenience, both big and small, you may experience during menopause, one of the most important is osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is less normal bone than expected for a woman’s age, with an associated increase in the risk of fractures. Essentially, the bones develop lots of holes in them which makes them weaker even though they still look normal on the outside.

What causes osteoporosis?

Bone tissue is being destroyed and reformed continuously in your body. A balance has to be maintained between the osteoclasts (which break down bone) and the osteoblasts (which make new bone). Estrogen plays an important part in the production of new bone. In the absence of estrogen bone is broken down and not replaced. Calcium is the substance that gives bone it’s strength. Estrogen helps in transporting calcium from the blood and keeps it in the bone. In the absence of estrogen, calcium moves from the bone back ito the blood. The end result- weak bones that are full of holes!

What increases your risk of getting osteoporosis?

1. Low bone density – From the moment you are born, new bone is being deposited in your body. This continues until you are about 35 years old when laying down of bone stops. At this stage, you have achieved your peak bone density. If it is low, then you have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
2. Premature menopause – If you experience menopause before the age of 35 years your bone loss will start earlier than in a woman who has menopause at 45.
3. Removal of the ovaries and uterus – If you have had your ovaries removed for any reason, within a few years, you may develop osteoporosis. Even if your uterus is removed without the ovaries, you still have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis compared to a woman who has both uterus and ovaries intact.
4. Smoking – Apart from the many health hazards associated with smoking, it does not allow the body to taken in as much oxygen as it needs, which makes bones weak. Also, if you’re a heavy smoker, you run the risk of reaching menopause up to 5 years before a non-smoker.
5. Drugs – Medication used for some health conditions such as asthma, can lead to osteoporosis if taken in large quantities for a long time.

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