Osteoporosis in Post-Menopausal Women
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The recent spate of press reports on the abruptly discontinued clinical trial by the National Institute of Health and the Women's Health Initiative which was examining the effects of the use of estrogen/progestin in women has generated media discussion on the closely related issue of osteoporosis and teeth and bone loss, especially as it impacts post-menopausal women disproportionally. Besides providing relief from hot flashes and night sweats, it was thought that estrogen/progestin could help alleviate a range of age-related conditions in women, including osteoporosis.
Roberto Civitelli, MD, of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, in a study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine, remarks, "The risk of tooth loss is higher for women aged 65 or older, and continues to increase the longer a woman has been post-menopausal." He believes that the use of Vitamin D and calcium supplements are to be
strongly recommended whether or not a regimen of estrogen/progestin is concurrently taken.