Hormone Therapy for Osteoporosis and Bone Health

brandon llewellyn | 15 January, 2024


          
            middle aged female patient and her doctor discussing Hormone Therapy for Osteoporosis and Bone Health while looking at x-rays

Osteoporosis is a prevalent health concern among aging populations, particularly for women. This condition can be painful and lowers the quality of life for many patients who do not receive treatment.

Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is a potential solution that may be used to manage osteoporosis and the uncomfortable symptoms it causes. Below, see how hormone therapy emerges as a key player in the quest for better bone health and how medical practices can expand their treatment offerings with convenient, easy-to-use trocar kits.

How Estrogen and Menopause Affect the Bones

Bones naturally deteriorate as a normal part of the aging process. This is caused by hormonal changes that slow new cell growth and cause bones to become more porous and brittle over time. This happens to women more frequently than men, and according to theEndocrine Society, 10% of women over the age of 60 suffer from clinical bone loss, or osteoporosis.

For medical professionals who treat these patients, addressing bone health not only provides improved continuity of care but also creates a new avenue of revenue for practices.

MHT and HRT for Osteoporosis

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), often referred to as Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) has been shown to reduce the rate at which bone deteriorates and improve overall bone health during and after menopause.

Estrogen in particular inhibits the body's resorption of bone tissue, keeping more of it in place during the aging process. Plus, it can help alleviate other problematic symptoms of menopause like mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats.

Is HRT for Osteoporosis Safe?

The safety of hormone therapy formenopause and osteoporosis depends on numerous different factors, including the individual medical history and current health status of the patient. While this therapy is generally regarded as extremely safe and well tolerated, the potential for risk cannot be eliminated as with any medical procedure.

In rare cases, HRT and osteoporosis have been linked to a higher risk of stroke, blood clots, and specific types of cancer, primarily when not administered properly by medical providers who are overseeing the treatment. Conducting a thorough assessment of each person's risk level prior to pellet placement can help reduce the rate of complications experienced by practices and their patients.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Low Dose HRT for Osteoporosis?

Women who experience the following symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis may be ideal patients for hormone replacement therapy:

  • Decreased libido that interrupts the patient's desired sex life
  • Severe mood swings, particularly leading up to the menstrual cycle
  • Vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse
  • Bone fractures or breaks that are caused by a low amount of force that would likely only bruise someone with healthy bone density
  • Anxiety or depression that becomes unmanageable, even with psychiatric treatment
  • Chronic fatigue and extremely low energy levels
  • Problems falling or staying asleep

Most people are adequately qualified to receive hormone therapy, so long as it is tailored to their individual health history and status.

However, patients with the following medical conditions or family health histories may not besuitable candidates for hormone pellet therapy:

  • Recent cancer treatment or a family history of particular cancers. Cancers of the reproductive system, like ovarian or breast cancer, may be complicated by hormone replacement therapy for women.
  • A history of stroke or blood clotting disorders. Estrogen replacement for women over 60 can increase the risk of developing blood clots, including potentially fatal Deep Vein Thrombosis, and is not recommended for patients who have had problems with blood clotting or who are heavy nicotine users.
  • Current pregnancy. Hormone pellet therapy is not suitable for women who are pregnant or who are in the process of conceiving a pregnancy.
  • A history of liver or kidney disease. These disorders can affect how the body metabolizes estrogen and other hormones. Adding more to the mix may cause other problems that are more serious or more difficult to manage.
  • Poorly controlled hypertension. Patients who have hypertension that is not well controlled may need to stabilize their blood pressure with medication prior to receiving hormone replacement therapy. Hormones, particularly testosterone, can cause an increase in blood pressure, so it's important to start with a lower baseline.

Top Benefits of Offering HRT for Osteoporosis in Your Practice

There are many benefits for medical practices who want to offerhormone pellet therapy to patients at their practice, and if you aren't currently providing these services, now is the perfect time to consider the advantages it has for your facility.

HRT takes a personalized approach to menopause treatment and allows providers to tailor their patients' hormone therapies to each person's individual health profile and risk factors. This enables your practice to provide targeted and effective solutions for symptoms based on the unique needs of each patient.

Incorporating HRT into your practice also emphasizes your commitment to preventative medicine and highlights your team's dedication to not only treating existing medical conditions or bothersome symptoms, but also to proactively help patients live fuller, more satisfying lives with fewer osteoporosis-related complications.

Plus, utilizing advanced technologies in the treatment of your patients can help give your practice a competitive edge and differentiate your services from other similar medical providers in your area. This positions your facility as a leader in the care and support of women during and after menopause.

Trocar Supplies – Your Trusted Trocar Kit Provider Since 2006

Trocar Supplies has been providing the highest quality disposable and reusabletrocar kits for hormone replacement pellet therapy since 2006 and has become one of the most trusted names among medical providers in the HRT industry.

We can help you find the right tools to provide your patients with the services they need at an affordable rate, so you can keep your profit margins high and improve the overall health of the communities you serve.

Contact us today to learn more about how your medical practice can benefit from offering HRT osteoporosis therapy for women over the age of 60 or who are suffering from uncomfortable symptoms of menopause or bone loss.