How effective are estrogens in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis?
Estrogen replacement therapy prevents postmenopausal bone loss. Started at or near the time of menopause, estrogens have been consistently found to increase bone mass by about 4% and to markedly decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Estrogen replacement is also highly effective as a treatment for women who have already developed osteoporosis, including women who are more than 15 years past menopause. Estrogen replacement significantly increases bone mass an average of 4% in these individuals.
