Estrogen protects women's bones, but estrogen levels decline during menopause, which can lead to rapid bone loss and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spine and wrist. Hormone therapy is one treatment for osteoporosis and menopause symptoms, but it can have side effects, as can bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax that are also used to treat osteoporosis.

2.
 Our bodies have glands which produce
hormones. In women, their ovaries produce a
hormone known as estrogen, which is known
to protect a woman’s bone. However as we
age, the hormones produced by our bodies
may reduce in levels, particularly the
estrogen. The decline results in menopause,
the period in a woman’s life when
menstruation stops. Bone loss may rapidly
develop in women during the menopausal
years. Osteoporosis may result from bone
loss.

3.  A weakened bone due to low bone density is
what characterized by osteoporosis. About 80
percent of women have been discovered to
more at risk of developing osteoporosis,
although there are rising number of men
prone to osteoporosis, statistic reveals. An
osteoporotic individual may be at risk for
bone fractures even without pain or
symptoms when his or her medical condition
is not treated or prevented. Fractures
commonly occur in the hip, spine, and wrist.

4.  One of the known treatments for
osteoporosis is the hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy comes in estrogen alone or
a combination of estrogen and progestin. The
symptoms of menopause may be alleviated
by hormone therapy. Menopausal women
may experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness,
mood swings, sleep disorder, and decreased
in sexual desire. Pill, patch, injection,
vaginal cream, tablet, or ring are forms of
hormone therapy.

5.  Like any medication, hormone therapy may
cause a number of unwanted side effects.
There are different factors that may increase
the risk of hormone therapy: whether
estrogen is given alone or with a progestin,
current age and age at menopause, dose and
type of estrogen, and other health risks such
as cardiovascular disease.

6.  There are also other treatment options for
osteoporosis. Fosamax is one of the
bisphosphonate drugs which is frequently use
to cure osteoporosis. Somehow, osteoporotic
individuals have reported minor and major
side-effects associated with this prescription
drug. The Fosamax injury lawsuit center at
fosamaxinjurylawsuitcenter.com has more
information about why this drug may not be
good for the bones.

7.  References:
 emedicinehealth.com/hormone_replacement
_and_osteoporosis/article_em.htm
 mayoclinic.com/health/hormone-
therapy/WO00046
 webmd.com/osteoporosis/understanding-
osteoporosis-treatment
 osteoporosis.ca/osteoporosis-and-you/drug-
treatments/hormone-therapy/
 health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/
osteoporosis/overview.html