Hormones & Empowerment: Protecting Women’s Bones Through Menopause

Hormones, Bone Health, and Empowerment

For too long, women navigating perimenopause and menopause have been neglected in health care.

Too often, physicians make decisions for women rather than with them.

This is especially true when it comes to hormone therapy.

Every woman deserves to be fully educated and empowered to make her own decisions regarding hormones whether that includes estradiol, progesterone, or testosterone.

Shared Decision-Making, Not Assumptions

Hormone therapy is not a “one-size-fits-all” prescription.

The role of a physician should be to educate, present the evidence, and engage in meaningful conversations so that women can make truly informed choices.

Assuming what is “best” without discussion undermines a woman’s autonomy.

Shared decision making is a non negotiable.

A Real Example: Reversing Osteoporosis with Hormone Therapy

One of my 63-year-old patients came to me with a history of osteoporosis.

Together, we created a plan that included hormone replacement therapy (estradiol and progesterone), regular exercise, and a nutrition strategy focused on bone health.

The results?

She reversed her osteoporosis.

Her approach included:

• Estradiol and progesterone therapy to protect bone strength from the inside out.

• Food-based calcium intake, since calcium supplements have not been shown to significantly improve bone mineral density and may even carry risks.

• Vitamin D supplementation, supported by foods like salmon and eggs. Unlike calcium, vitamin D is difficult to obtain in large amounts through diet alone. Sun exposure also helps, though it’s important to balance this with skin protection.

Why Estradiol Matters for Bone Health

Estradiol has a profound impact on bone integrity.

It improves tensile strength the ability of bone to resist breaking under pressure helping protect women from fractures.

Importantly, estradiol is FDA-approved for the prevention of osteoporosis in women with osteopenia (low bone density). This isn’t just theory; it’s evidence-based medicine.

The Reality of Osteoporosis in Women

Osteoporosis and fractures are not minor health issues they are life-threatening.

For example, a woman who experiences a hip fracture faces up to a 50% chance of dying within one year of that fracture.

These statistics highlight why bone health should be a central part of every menopause discussion.

The Takeaway

Every woman in perimenopause or menopause no matter her age deserves the chance to make informed, shared decisions with her physician about hormone therapy.

The evidence is clear:

hormones like estradiol can be life-changing, not only for symptoms of menopause but also for long-term bone health and quality of life.

Women should never be left in the dark about their options.

Education is empowerment. And empowerment leads to better health outcomes.

Warmly, 

Dr. Kristine D. LaRocca, D.O.