Menopause, Osteoporosis and Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Osteoporosis, estrogen, progesterone, hot flashes

Osteoporosis

The word osteoporosis means porosity of the bones. When estrogen production decreases at the onset of menopause, not enough calcium is deposited to keep up with accelerated bone loss. Estrogen is important in the manufacture of new bone tissue, and when its production level drops down at the onset of menopause, bones become riddled with holes or "air pockets," like a sponge. They become brittle and easily broken. The weakened bone can no longer take the weight of the body, the hip breaks, and the woman falls. Roughly 200,000 women a year are disabled by hip fractures and resulting falls. Many die due to complications from these injuries or the resulting surgeries. Some lose height from collapsing vertebrae and/or develop the "dowager's hump.'

The estrogen dip and accelerated calcium loss occurs long before the last period. The calcium loss can continue for as long as ten years afterward. Postmenopausal women need even more calcium than youngsters require at puberty.

Calcium Needs
Age	Milligrams Daily
Teenagers	1,200
Young Adults	800-1,000
Women over 45	1,200-1,500

Here are few things you can do to prevent osteoporosis:

Avoid fluoridated water (which actually extracts calcium from the bones)

Eat less, or no, red meat (too much phosphorus, it requires more calcium in the blood stream--often taken from bones-to balance it)

Drink less of avoid soft drinks

Don't smoke

Eat calcium-rich and boron-rich foods

Exercise

Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol

Take calcium and magnesium supplements

Long-Term Effects Of Estrogen Deficiency

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

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