Hormone therapy

Osteoporosis can be treated with the help of hormone therapy but its role is in managing osteoporosis is changing because of the availability of other treatments. You can also use other forms of treatments including patches, creams and vaginal ring. Your doctor can find the best option for you.

Prescription medications

If you don’t want to use HT then you can get help from the prescription drugs to slow bone loss and also for the increase of bone density.

Bisphosphonates

This medication can be used to preserve bone mass and increase bone density in spine and hip and reduces the risk of fracture and this medication is very good for men and young adults. The people with long terms treatment for asthma and arthritis disease can also use this medication for osteoporosis prevention.

There can be severe side effects of this medication like abdominal pain, nausea, and esophageal ulcers. It can also cause stomach problems. You can use periodic intravenous infusions of bisphosphonates if you don’t use oral bisphosphates. This medication was approved by FDA for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. There are small cases of osteoporosis of jaw have been reported with this medication which occurred after trauma to the jaw.

Raloxifene (Evista)

This medication belong to estrogen receptor modulators which is useful on bone density in postmenopausal women without risks of uterine cancer and breast cancer. There can be side effects of hot flashes and this medication should not be used if you have blood clots history. This medication should not be used by men and it is only for women.

Calcitonin

The bone resorption is reduced calcitonin which is thyroid gland which can slow bone loss. This medication can provide pain relief from compression fractures. This medication should be used only by men as it is not potent as bisphosphonates.

Teriparatide (Forteo)

The treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is done with the help of this medication and also in men with high risk of fractures. This medication can stimulate new bone growth and prevents further bone loss. This medication should be given by injection once a day.

Tamoxifen

The breast cancer is treated with this medication in high risk women. The effect of this medication is estrogen like on cells including bone cells due to which it reduces risk of fractures in women older than 50. there can be side effects of this medication like hot flashes, stomach upset and vaginal dryness or discharge.

Emerging therapies

The back pain is reduced and also risks in women falling having osteoporosis is reduced in women with the help of new physical therapy. There is spinal weighted kypho-orthosis device used in this therapy which includes specific back extension exercises. This device can be worn in the morning and afternoon for 30 minutes.

Prevention

The risks of osteoporosis can be reduced taking adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D and you can also take other measures to prevent bone loss. You will need different amount of calcium to stay healthy over the time. There will be high demand of calcium in childhood as skeleton is growing rapidly. The older men and postmenopausal women will also require more calcium.

How much calcium and vitamin D?

There should be at 1,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D should be used by postmenopausal and premenopausal women using HT. The men and women over 65 years should take 1,500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily. It is very important to get adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D. It can improve your health and muscle strength and it will also protect against certain types of cancer. You can use cooked kale, broccoli, canned salmon, oats and soy products for calcium. You can also use calcium and vitamin D supplements in divided doses with food.

Other tips for prevention

Exercise

Exercise is very important for you to make your bones stronger. You can take strength training exercises with weight bearing exercises to make your muscles strong. Swimming, walking, cycling and different exercise machines can be very good for you to improve your bone health.

Add soy to your diet

Soy can be very good for you to maintain bone density and it reduces the risk of fractures as well.

Don’t smoke

The bone loss can be increased with smoking and it also reduces absorption of calcium in your intestine.

Hormone therapy

There can be reduced risks of osteoporosis in women with hormone therapy during and after menopause but you should discuss your doctor before using it as there can be side effects. Testosterone replacement therapy can be good for men.

Avoid alcohol

Bone formation is decreased with alcohol and other drugs and it reduces body’s ability to absorb as well.