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[Noheroicsplease]

Hi all,

Long time no speak because I've been off HRT since last October and feel good. Def the time to come off it for me. I am post meno, no period for years.

But, a recent DEXA scan showed that my osteopenia has worsened. We're not in osteoporosis territory but it's not going in the right direction.

I'm only 50.

MY GP said the report suggested I go back on HRT.

Should I do this simply for bone density? ARe there other ways?

I didn't particularly like HRT.

Thanks all

[CLKD]

A good diet with lots of dairy, milk, fish; brisk weight bearing exercise 10 mins. daily; have a look-see at the UK osteoporosis support charity .  How was the bone density performed, the best place if pelvis and hips.

[CLKD]

Royal Osteoporosis Society 2020

President: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

Royal Osteoporosis Society is a registered charity no. 1102712 in England and Wales, no. SC039755 in Scotland, and no. 1284 in Isle of Man.

Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales no. 4995013, and foreign company no. 006188F in Isle of Man.
Registered address:  Manor Farm, Skinner's Hill, Camerton, Bath BA2 0PJ
Formerly the National Osteoporosis Society
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[Taz2]

Sorry to hear this noheroics. Have you been given any other advice? Are you following an exercise programme at all which includes weight bearing and muscle strengthening as this can make a lot of difference. There is also biophosphonates if you don't want to go back on to HRT. It's obviously important to take charge of it now before it develops further.

Taz x

[Noheroicsplease]

Hi Taz,

Yes, I do weight bearing stuff, have done for years. I'm probably not very good at taking my calcium supplements, which i must tackle but I take VIT D every day and have done for years.

Interestingly, I spoke to a Gynae Dr friend last night. She said that if it's just for bone health, she wouldn't recommend going back on HRT. I don't feel the need for it for any other reason.

I think I need to speak to someone who specialises in osteoporosis.

But I agree, must stop it getting worse

[CLKD]

Where was the density scan taken?

Do read the osteoporosis web site.

[Taz2]

I don't think HRT is licensed nowadays purely for bone health. 

Taz x

[Uptick]

Hi Noheroicsplease, do you have any case of osteoporosis in your family?

[Noheroicsplease]

I don't understand your question CKLD - (where was it taken?)

Yes, my mum has osteoporosis and my sister who is a couple of years older than me has it too - she's actually had osteoporosis for several years.

I'm 50. I was on the cusp of an early menopause. I started HRT about 45/46 until last October. I always had issues absorbing estrogen so it also seems a bit pointless as you need pretty high levels of estrogen to make a difference.

[Noheroicsplease]

I don't think HRT is licensed nowadays purely for bone health. 

Taz x

No, I think that's right

[Mary G]

Noheroicsplease, this link might be of interest:

https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/shock-diagnosis-osteoporosis

The menopause comes in two phases starting with short term symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats (although for some this can last for years) and long term symptoms like osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease which usually kick in several years post menopause.  Very often, women don't suffer badly with the early menopause symptoms and think they have come through it relatively unscathed but they then go on to develop long term symptoms like osteoporosis.  It's a gamble and you never know which category you fall into and of course it might be neither category.

If you have a family history of osteoporosis it might be worth looking again at body identical HRT.   The optimum level of oestrogen needed to prevent/treat bone loss is 300 pmol and this level can be achieved with a medium dose of HRT - something like one pump of Oestrogel or a 50 mcg patch depending on how well you absorb the product.

Is your sister taking any medication?

[Noheroicsplease]

THanks for this interesting article, Mary.

My sister is on HRT but she's only just started peri menopause.

I feel so torn because I feel much better off HRT than I was on it. And also, to keep the bones strong, I'd have to stay on HRT for a very long time which I'm also equally reluctant to do.

[TnToast]

Hi Noheroicsplease

I have just tipped into Osteoporosis in my spine and am borderline in my hips. I'm 52. I am not taking anything for it just yet as I'm dealing with one issue at a time!

However, I'd take CLKD's advice. I called the free helpline the Royal Osteoporosis Society run a few months ago when i found out and can highly recommend it. A specialist nurse will talk you through all the options. I was told I have many years ahead for treatment so I didn't need to start something immediately if I was dealing with other things, but that in future I could take a biphosphate med of which there are several - Alendronic acid seems to be the most commonly prescribed. They also have fact sheets on all the meds as well as exercise and diet.

Hope that helps.

[Noheroicsplease]

Thanks very much. I shall call next week.

[Brit66]

Hi all,

Long time no speak because I've been off HRT since last October and feel good. Def the time to come off it for me. I am post meno, no period for years.

But, a recent DEXA scan showed that my osteopenia has worsened. We're not in osteoporosis territory but it's not going in the right direction.

I'm only 50.

MY GP said the report suggested I go back on HRT.

Should I do this simply for bone density? ARe there other ways?

I didn't particularly like HRT.

Thanks all

The simple answer from me would be yes, because you will get this benefit to your bones as well as all the other health benefits from hrt, but its your choice really. You can take the bone supplement specifically for osteoporosis as well or instead of hrt if you really hate it, but I wouldn't bet on your diet alone being preventative, as it hasn't been the case so far. I would talk to your dr more and think carefully about what is going to be best for your health in the long run.