Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy (HT) used to be the “gold standard” for the treatment and prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis. However, newer medications, such as bisphosphonates and SERMs have been studied more extensively, with positive results, and are associated with fewer side effects. These drugs have been proven to maintain and sometimes increase bone density, and reduce the incidence of fractures in the spine and hip. Because of this, bisphosphonates and SERMs are now considered "first-line" agents for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Nevertheless, HT continues to be prescribed, typically to relieve menopausal symptoms in women between the ages of 50 and 59, and to preserve their bone mass. Although there has been much debate and conflicting evidence about the efficacy and safety of HT, an international panel at the First Global Summit on Menopause-Related Issues concluded, in March 2008, that HT is safe when taken by healthy women for a few years in the early post-menopausal period, and that it can prevent bone fractures.

The Hormones in Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy consists of estrogen with progesterone, or estrogen alone for women who have had a hysterectomy. Women who still have their uterus should take progesterone in addition to estrogen, to protect them from uterine cancer.

• Hormone therapy to treat osteoporosis – weighing
  the pros and cons
• Starting and stopping hormone therapy

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