Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

The management of osteoporosis patients start with the diagnosis by rolling out secondary causes and then confirm it by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). After that, begin the treatment with lifestyle changes, pharmacological medications, and surgery for some fractures if needed. In this essay I will cover generally the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis in five steps.

Osteoporosis is a treatable disease, but not a curable one. There are different types of treatment for osteoporosis. Some of the medications that can be taken for treatment of osteoporosis are estrogen, bisphosphonates, calcitionin, raloxifene, parathyroid hormone, and testosterone replacement (UCSF Medical Center, 2010). Some of the more common names for bisphosphonates are Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, and Reclast (Mayo Clinic, 2009). These treatments are taken orally once a week or once a month. In addition to the medications, there is also the treatment of exercise and diet. With a diet high in calcium, stopping unhealthy habits, like smoking and drinking, and regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures in people with osteoporosis (The New York Times, 2010). In Ms. Duckworth’s incident, it would be recommended that she increase the amount of calcium in her diet and exercise, and depending on the severity of the osteoporosis, medication.

in the development and onset of this disease. Sex hormones, such as estrogen previously mentioned, as well as testosterone in men can help build and maintain healthy bones. When these hormone levels decrease, which is not uncommon in old age, the chance for osteoporosis increase significantly.

As generally stated in the introduction, osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder that involves the strength and integrity of one’s bones. The WHO defines osteoporosis as, “a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low-bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue, increased bone fragility, and its susceptibly to recurrent fractures.” 2 The most important factor to take into account when addressing osteoporosis is the mass of bone, also referred to as, bone mineral density (BMD). As bone mass begins to decline, typically in the older population, specifically postmenopausal women, individuals are at an increased risk for fractures.3 As a result of this serious condition, many people are affected by morbidity, mortality, and economic difficulty.1

Osteoporosis is a devastating disease that causes deterioration of bone tissue and an increased risk of bone fractures. It is a major public health problem, affecting millions of elderly over age sixty-five. The disease is one of the most costly costing fourteen billion dollars a year in U.S. health expenditures. Osteoporosis is primarily thought of as a woman's disease, it affects over two million men annually. While there are less fragile fractures in men, if they do fracture, men are more likely to die from it. Today the lack of awareness for male osteoporosis is where it was for women fifty years ago. This is a frightening fact as the lifetime risk for osteoporosis is higher than that of prostate

Osteoporosis in aging women is an important topic. Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about eight million or 80% are women (www.nof.org). This statistic show that osteoporosis is common and is a major public health issue. This devastating disease is prevalent among middle aged and older women. Research indicates that it is estimated that 200 million women have osteoporosis (Lane, 2006).This statistic is indication that all women should be concerned about this disease and how it can affect them as they age. After the age of 50 years the prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of osteoporosis fractures rise substantially with age (Chua, Nandi, & Masud, 2011, p. 279) According to the American Academy of Orthopedic

     Osteoporosis can be prevented. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. Studies show that exercises requiring muscles to pull on bones, cause the bones to retain and perhaps even gain density. Researchers found that women who walk a mile a day have four to seven more years of bone in reserve than women who don't. Some of the recommended exercises include: weight-bearing exercises, riding stationary bicycles, using rowing machines, walking, and jogging. Avoiding smoking and watching what you drink can also decrease your chances of acquiring osteoporosis. Most important of all, a diet that includes an adequate amount of calcium (from milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt), vitamin D, and protein

This increase in bone loss results in the condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in turn increases the susceptibility of bones to fractures. Studies have indicated that treatment with hormone replacement therapy is beneficial in reducing the risk of suffering from osteoporosis. The clinical trial carried out by Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions (PEPI) for three years revealed that osteoporosis was reduced in hormone replacement therapy. This study demonstrated that the independent use of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) or in complex with progesterone analogs fostered an increased bone-mineral density. The Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) was carried out separately in about three-thousand women (Herrington 12). This study indicated that bone density was significantly higher in women who underwent the therapy. The women who had been assigned placebos showed a slightly higher rate of bone loss. This shows that hormone replacement therapy confers the benefit of alleviating bone loss and maintaining healthy amounts of bone minerals (PEPI;

Osteoporosis is a secondary aging musculoskeletal disorder that increases bone degeneration and disruption of bone mineral development. A major challenge with treating osteoporosis lies in the difficulty of diagnosing it in the early stages, because no symptoms appear until an actual complication such as a bone fracture occurs. Thus, osteoporosis is known as a “silent disease” (Cosman, 2014). During the childhood years, bones normally grow in size and strength until the person’s peak bone mass has been reached at approximately 20 years old. Around 40 to 50 years old, men and women are affected by age related decline in bone mass (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, n.d.). Women above 40 years old and of Chinese or Caucasian ethnicity are of high risk for developing osteoporosis (Wilbiks lecture, 2014). Other risk contributions to the condition include old age, female gender, small body size, low calcium and vitamin D, decrease of estrogen, lack of exercise and genetics. A slender, thin-boned tall woman is at greater risk for osteoporosis compared to a woman with a proportional amount of fat, bone and height. To prevent the development osteoporosis, people who are at high risk should take preventative measures, and this guide suggests three methods that have been supported by various researchers: 1) Supplementing calcium into diet; 2) Changing lifestyle patterns; and 3) Quitting smoking. All these preventative measures have been shown to

Osteoporosis is often found in elderly women with low levels of estrogen and calcium. The number of available research based on osteoporosis in women outnumber that of their male counterparts. Little researches have been conducted on the relationship between testosterone levels and osteoporosis in men. In this paper, we will review 5 difference sources to determine if testosterone levels affect the chances of men developing osteoporosis. The following three questions will be answered in this paper: Are women more prone to osteoporosis compare to men due to their low level of testosterone? Is low testosterone the main cause of osteoporosis in men? Is testosterone therapy effective in reducing or cure osteoporosis in men?

Only 27.4% of the women in the prevention group were taking prescription medication for osteoporosis. Among the treatment group, 58.1% of women were taking prescription medication that was related to osteoporosis. This study showed relatively low percentage rates of women that were prescribed medication to prevent and treat osteoporosis. This article states many times that patients are more likely to take medication related to the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis if the primary physician was a family physician rather than a

No other treatment has ignited as many debates and controversy as Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Official medicine proponents including the FDA, International Menopause Society, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, Mayo Clinic, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have stated that Bioidentical Hormones carry the same risks as synthetic hormones, and that there is no

LO1. Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent skeletal disorder [1], which manifests as a deterioration in bone mass [1,2], contributing to an elevated risk of fracture [1,2]. Risk factors can be non-modifiable, including age, race (more common in Caucasian populations [1]), gender (women being more likely to be affected [1]), early menopause, small stature and a family history of osteoporosis [2]. Whereas, risk factors such as poor calcium and vitamin D intake, a lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol intake, fall under the modifiable risk category [2]. Despite the asymptomatic nature of osteoporosis [1], patients can complain of pain, coupled with a visible deformity or apparent immobility [2]. Often fragility fractures, due to relatively

There have been many advancements in health care for the general population as well as the elderly in recent times. One of the major health concerns that is being targeted right now is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis comes from bone becoming fragile because of bone mass being decreased. There are different forms of osteoporosis such as primary and secondary. Primary osteoporosis does not have a specific reason or disease associated with it, and secondary osteoporosis usually has to due with deficiencies and chronic medical conditions. Being post-menopausal also is a contributing factor linking individuals to this disease. Although this disease is prevalent in women, men should also be concerned. Studies have linked certain lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and living a sedentary lifestyle to this disease. With the elderly population increasing vastly from year to year, osteoporosis is becoming ever so severe to this population, and also costly to society. There has been research done on different medications, vitamin therapies, and exercises that have proven to be helpful, but there is still much research to be done.

Felson, D. T., Zhang, Y., Hannan, M. T., Kiel, D. P., Wilson, P., & Anderson, J. J. (1993). The effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on bone density in elderly women. New England Journal of Medicine, 329(16), 1141-1146.