A relationship between bone density and hormone therapy in postmenopausal women has been reported. Hormone therapy can permanently contribute to improvements in bone mineral density, even after it has been discontinued. Osteoporosis is a progressive skeletal disease characterized by brittle, brittle bones and an increased risk of fractures. Bones normally go through a process called bone remodeling – this means old bone is resorbed and replaced with new, healthy bone. Bone remodeling helps the body recover from injuries. In osteoporosis, the natural course of this process is disturbed. A decrease in bone mineral density should be taken into account, that is, the mineral content in the bone decreases, the process of bone remodeling is disturbed and osteoporosis develops. The substances that give a bone its hardness and density are minerals such as hydroxyapatite. The most common form of osteoporosis is its primary form. It includes postmenopausal osteoporosis, which occurs as a result of the rapid decrease in estrogen in the body after menopause and occurs in women between 50 and 65 years of age. In particular, the reduction of estrogen in the body is the object of observation by scientists from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. Hormone therapy is an effective way to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis in women. In theory, taking hormones such as estrogen or progestin directly would improve bone density permanently, but insufficient data are available on the effects on bone when hormone therapy is discontinued. The findings of the study, published in the journal Menopause, show improved bone mineral density in the lumbar vertebrae even after discontinuation of hormone therapy. Lumbar vertebrae are five vertebrae in the spine that are located at the bottom of the spine. Estrogen slows the rate of bone resorption (one of the processes necessary for bone remodeling). In this way, a balance is achieved between resorption and new bone formation. Scientists say all types of hormone therapy protect against bone loss, except estrogen patches. References: Chao, S. (2023, May 2) Association of hormone preparations with bone mineral density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018. Retrieved 2023, May 15 from https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Fulltext/9900/Association_of_hormone_preparations_with_bone.179.aspx