Hormone replacement therapy in prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

Menopause refers to the cessation of menstruation. Menopause brings about a deficiency of estrogen and a period of bone loss that extends till the end of life and is responsible for development of osteoporotic fractures in women. Prevention of vertebral fractures, non-vertebral fractures and hip fractures in post-menopausal women can be effectively done by Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as it prevents bone loss following menopause and can delay development of osteoporosis as seen on DEXA scan. HRT use however is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, genito-urinary problems, breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer and the risk of venous thromboembolism. However in selected postmenopausal women with early menopause or with postmenopausal symptoms short-term use of HRT/Raloxifene/Tibolone is currently permitted to alleviate symptoms.

Keywords

• hormone replacement therapy
• osteoporosis
• postmenopausal
• prevention
• treatment