Osteoporosis is a common disease that can lead to serious problems for men and women, particularly those who are older. Around 10 million Americans already have osteoporosis, and many don’t even know they have it.
What’s even more surprising is the impact hormonal imbalances can have on your bones. Hormones play a key role in supporting bone health. So when you have too little—or too much—of specific hormones, you could be at an increased risk of fractures and bone breaks.
In this article, we’ll explore which hormone imbalances are highly associated with osteoporosis, other factors known to increase your risk of bone problems, and what you can do if you suspect you may have weakened bones.
What Are Osteoporosis And Osteopenia?
During the early stages of your life, the amount of bone your body loses and the amount of bone your body creates is balanced. In childhood and early adult life, your bone size and thickness grow. More bone is broken down than formed after mid-life, and your bone mass will slowly decline.
When you start to experience a moderate decline in bone mass, you develop a condition called osteopenia. This condition typically occurs after age 50. During osteopenia, your bones aren’t so far gone that they easily fracture. If you take steps to reverse the condition, you can avoid serious fractures or breaks.
However, if your bones continue to decline, you’ll develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, also known as porous bones, is a progressive condition in which bones become weak and more likely to fracture or break. It’s known as a silent disease because you typically won’t experience any symptoms until a break occurs.
Each year, 1.5 million people suffer a fracture from bone loss. Bones affected by osteoporosis can become so fragile that they spontaneously fracture with minor falls, bending, lifting, and even coughing. It’s often difficult to treat bones affected by osteoporosis, especially when you are older and your bones aren’t growing like they used to.
How Hormonal Imbalances Can Affect Your Bones
Hormones are essential to bone health and strength. Too much or too little of certain hormones in the body can contribute to both osteopenia and osteoporosis. While women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, men can also develop the disease as a result of hormonal imbalances.
These are the types of hormonal imbalances most likely to affect your bone health.
Menopause
Menopause is one of the leading causes of osteoporosis in older women. During menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen, a critical hormone for bone growth. Estrogen promotes the release of osteoprotegrin, which helps regulate bone metabolism and prevents bone reabsorption. It also increases osteogenesis, or bone development.
When your body doesn’t produce enough estrogen, bone turnover increases because it isn’t able to create as much bone as your body is losing. As a result, bone loss begins and accelerates the longer your estrogen levels remain low. One study reported osteoporosis rates double every 5 years starting from age 45-49, increasing to 50.3% after age 85.
Signs of low estrogen can include:
- Dry skin
- Tender breasts
- Trouble concentrating
- Moodiness and irritability
- Vaginal dryness or atrophy
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Irregular periods or no periods
- Weight gain, especially in your belly
- Headaches before or during your period
- Decreased sex drive and painful intercourse
- Feeling fatigued and having trouble sleeping
Low Testosterone
Testosterone is important for both healthy bones and healthy muscle growth. So it’s no surprise that low testosterone levels can cause bone problems for both men and women.
Testosterone deficiency is the primary cause of osteoporosis in men. For men over 50, it commonly causes spine fractures and hip fractures. Men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer at any age are also at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Bone density typically decreases by 2% to 8% during the first year of treatment.
The symptoms of testosterone deficiency are often different for men and women. For men, it can cause symptoms like:
- Depression
- Irritability or mood swings
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass
In women, signs of low testosterone can include:
- Low sex drive
- Lack of energy and feeling tired
- Loss of strength and muscle tone
- Infertility or trouble conceiving
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Vaginal dryness
- Depression or anxiety
- Thinning hair
- Dry, brittle skin
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
Pituitary or Adrenal Gland Tumors (Adenomas)
When you have a pituitary gland or adrenal gland tumor, your body produces excess cortisol. High cortisol levels interfere with bone formation, reduce bone density, and dramatically decrease bone growth. As a result, you’re at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, even at a younger age.
In one study, 70% of patients with endogenous hypercortisolism developed vertebral fractures. Fractures for patients with Cushing’s syndrome, a common side effect of pituitary and adrenal gland adenomas, are more likely to develop fractures in the spine, hips, ribs, and pelvis.
These benign tumors are more common than you might think, affecting 1 in 10 people on average. Even when they are small, adenomas can cause your body to produce too much cortisol. Warning signs to look out for include:
- Headaches
- Muscle weakness or occasional numbness
- Fatigue and achiness (like backaches)
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels or diabetes
- Low potassium levels
- Stretch marks on your abdomen
- Weight gain, especially in your upper body
Thyroid Problems
Like estrogen and testosterone, thyroid hormones directly affect bone replacement. While you may assume more thyroid hormones would be better for your bones, it’s actually the opposite. Too much of the thyroid hormone thyroxine speeds up the rate at which bone is lost. If this happens too fast, your body can’t replace the bone loss quickly enough.
In subclinical hyperthyroidism, you can have low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When this hormone is suppressed for long periods of time, your body is at a higher risk for fractures. An underactive thyroid doesn’t increase your risk of osteoporosis. However, treatments for hypothyroidism can cause you to develop hyperthyroidism if your levels aren’t monitored closely.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Anxiety, depression, or mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Goiter (visibly enlarged thyroid gland)
- Hair loss or thinning
- Increased appetite
- Increased sweating
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Brittle nails
- Pounding or racing heartbeat
- Sleep problems
- Weight loss (or weight gain, in some cases)
Other Factors That Increase Your Risk For Osteoporosis
Some risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis can’t be controlled. These include certain demographic characteristics and other pre-existing health problems, such as:
- Being a female
- Being over the age of 50
- Having a family history of osteoporosis
- Having a low body weight
- Being Caucasian or Asian
- Hypogonadism
- Chronic liver disease or kidney disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Dementia
On the other hand, certain lifestyle choices—such as smoking, drinking, or not consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals—can also increase your risk for these conditions.
Osteoporosis Treatment Options
If you suspect you may have osteopenia or osteoporosis, or you know you have an increased risk for these conditions, the first place you should start is with a bone density test.
Your doctor can order a DXA scan to evaluate your bone health and determine whether you are experiencing any bone loss. Anyone over 65 should have regular DXA scans to ensure their bones remain healthy, even if they don’t have other risk factors.
If your test reveals you are developing these conditions, or you want to prevent them from happening in the first place, there are steps you can take to boost your bone health. Below are the most effective options.
Balance Your Hormones
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy uses natural hormones, the same kind as produced by your body, to restore hormonal balance. Based on your unique bloodwork, you’ll receive personalized treatments that can be adjusted based on your symptoms and results.
HRT is an excellent choice for those with estrogen or testosterone deficiencies, restoring hormone levels before they lead to osteoporosis. Similarly, anti-thyroid treatments can lower your thyroid levels to prevent damage to your bones, heart, and muscles.
Minimize Steroid Therapy
Another way to prevent osteoporosis to minimize your use of steroids. Taking a glucocorticoid steroid (such as prednisone) for any significant length of time can damage your bones by inducing bone demineralization and increasing your risk of fractures.
Steroids are often used to treat inflammation and suppress the immune system. It can be a top treatment for conditions such as lupus, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and severe allergies.
If you know you are at an increased risk for osteoporosis, speak with your doctor about the length of your steroid treatments. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get a DXA scan regularly if you have long-term steroid use.
Get Tested For Pituitary And Adrenal Adenomas
Pituitary tumors are easily overlooked, particularly because their symptoms are common and occur from a number of other health problems. However, there are tests your doctor can do to check for an adenoma. MRIs are one of the best options for scanning the brain for a possible pituitary tumor.
Some tumors are so small they don’t appear on MRIs. These can be tested for using venous blood sampling. Depending on your history and symptoms, your doctor can also test for:
- High levels of the hormone prolactin
- Excess growth hormone
- Glucose tolerance
- Cushing’s disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypopituitarism
Make Simple Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes, preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis is as simple as changing your lifestyle. Other steps you can take to improve your bone health include:
- Taking plant-based calcium supplements
- Increasing your sun exposure to boost your vitamin D levels
- Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Exercising regularly, particularly weight-bearing exercises
- Quitting smoking
- Drinking in moderation
- Seeking help for eating disorders
- Avoiding losing too much weight in a short period of time
Take Bone Growth Medications
Along with prevention and lifestyle changes, you may need medication to stop bone loss and decrease the risk of fractures. Certain drugs slow down bone loss. These can have side effects, so it’s best to speak with a medical professional about your options.
Keep Your Bones Strong & Healthy With The Resurge Clinic
Osteoporosis can lead to painful fractures and make everyday tasks more difficult. Fortunately, by keeping your hormones in balance, you can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis and improve your bone strength.
If you suspect you may have a hormonal imbalance or are at a high risk for osteoporosis, The Resurge Clinic is here to help. Based on your personal hormone levels, our team of medical professionals will create a personalized bio-identical hormone replacement treatment plan to help balance your hormones and your life.
Our hormone replacement therapy has changed hundreds of lives and can change yours, too. If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, click the button below to schedule your appointment now.
