Osteoporosis is a condition associated with weak bones that are prone to fractures. Bones get progressively more brittle, and women may not realize the problem until they break a bone. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, up to 80% of people with osteoporosis are women, and the condition affects one in three women.
A significant function of estrogen is to maintain healthy and strong bones. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, it can lead to weakening of the bones.The longer estrogen levels remain low, the lower bone density becomes. Testosterone levels also drop during menopause. And as testosterone levels stay low, the body loses bone mass, which can eventually lead to weak bones susceptible to fractures.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reduces the risk of bone density loss caused by estrogen deficiency, which can then significantly reduce osteoporotic fracture rates.