Page 16 - Seniors Today June2020
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Medical management of bone health
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE
PILL (OCP)
Who might be helped by The OCP may help extreme athletes, women with current
taking the OCP eating disorders, or those with low oestrogen levels for
other reasons who have either stopped having their
periods, or have periods very infrequently. A lack of
periods is associated with low oestrogen levels, which
reduces bone density.
How it works Using the OCP can restore oestrogen levels to normal, and
research has shown that this may allow bone density to be
better preserved.
Possible side effects/risks There is a small increased risk of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT) (blood clots in the veins) with the OCP
Women who smoke should not take the OCP as the risk of
DVT is increased
It is not clear whether the OCP improves bone mass in
those with already lowered bone density
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Who might be helped by HRT can help women at the time of menopause because
taking HRT with menopause there is a dramatic fall in oestrogen levels
and the loss of bone is accelerated.
How it works HRT can lead to higher levels of oestrogen which can
increase bone density.
Possible side effects/risks The use of HRT is for menopause symptoms and is
not currently recommended as a first line therapy for
osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
HRT has been linked to a slight increase in risk of breast
cancer after 4-5 years of use in those who take combined
oestrogen and progesterone
The effects of HRT last only whilst you are taking it and as
soon as you stop, the rate of bone loss returns to the rate it
was progressing before you started HRT
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