How Estrogen Affects Bone

It is a well-known fact that healthy bones in both men and women require estrogen. When estrogen levels begin to drop in post menopausal females, or decrease because of chemotherapy and radiation, bones have a tendency to become brittle, therefore increasing the risk of fractures.

Estrogen therapy of up to 10 years may be required to prevent post-menopausal bone loss. Estrogen helps bones absorbs calcium needed for strength. Because muscles require calcium to contract, if there is not enough calcium in the blood, the body will take it from the bones.

Men typically have more estrogen than post-menopausal women, and it may be more important for their bone health than testosterone. When estrogen passes through the body, several liver hormones alter the standard hormone and change it to other forms. Some forms are active and some are inactive. Estrogen production varies in each person, so the altered forms will also vary.

Osteoporosis-related fractures in the elderly can be an unexpected health threat. Up to one-quarter of elderly people who have suffered a hip fracture will die within one year, and another 40 percent will need assisted care or will be cared for in a nursing home.

Resources

• Click here for information on estrogen-related bone loss.