Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue. When you have osteoporosis, your bones become brittle and have a higher risk of fracturing.
What causes osteoporosis?
There are a few key factors that contribute to developing osteoporosis:
- Aging - As you get older, your body absorbs less calcium and other minerals needed to maintain bone mass.
- Hormone levels - Lower estrogen levels during menopause for women and lower testosterone levels in men can accelerate bone loss. This is why women over age 50 have a higher osteoporosis risk.
- Family history - Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at higher risk.
- Low calcium intake - Not getting enough calcium can cause your body to draw it from your bones, weakening them over time.
- Inactive lifestyle - Weight-bearing exercise and muscle-strengthening exercise helps stimulate bone growth and maintain density. Without it, bone loss progresses.
So while age is unavoidable, getting enough key bone-supporting nutrients like calcium and vitamin D can help slow bone deterioration. Weight-bearing cardio and strength training is also protective.
Family history you can't change, but lifestyle factors provide room for prevention.
Do you worry you may be at risk for osteoporosis based on the above? At Hormone Harmony Clinic, our physicians provide osteoporosis risk screening and recommend tailored nutrition and fitness programs optimized to support strong bone health. We also offer hormone testing and hormone therapy known to reduce risk when hormone imbalance is present.
How do you know if you have osteoporosis?
The key indicator is to get a
bone mineral density (BMD) test. This special X-ray scans your bones and detects even minor amounts of bone loss indicative of osteoporosis before fractures occur.
If the BMD test shows you have significantly lower bone mass than is expected for your age, height, and sex, an osteoporosis diagnosis can be made. If the bone loss is less severe but still notable, you may have
osteopenia, low bone mass that is still cause for concern.
Our clinic provides BMD screening to quantify any bone mass loss so treatment can begin right away if needed. The sooner hormone balance is restored and bone-supporting lifestyle changes are made, the better chance you have to strengthen weakening bones and avoid debilitating fractures.