Estrogen Therapy for Osteoporosis

• By windblown
• Reply 112884
• August 3, 2008 at 3:52 pm
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Hi Floridagal: I took low dose estrogen/proges for about a year. If you want to know what the numbers are on increases, look at Premarin's website and see if they list bmd increases on it, they usually do. Do you mind if I ask what dose you are taking? I took Prempro, because I still have a uterus, and it caused me to have more breast cysts. This is only *my* reaction, and an important note is I'm fibrocystic, so I have many cysts anyway, but the estrogen made it worse. Now most OBGYN's are using low dose estrogen for osteo, but I guess that's up to you and your Dr., plus I don't know how much you are taking. The "Women Health Initiative" caused a lot of Dr.'s to reassess their patients tx-due to dose amounts of estrogen/progest, but you're on estrogen only-right? Did you try searching the NOF community with the word HRT or estrogen to see if there are other threads on this?

Aren't you taking Actonel as well?

Good luck

• By Floridagal
• Reply 112887
• August 3, 2008 at 4:06 pm
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Hi Windblown,

I have searched everywhere, I just can't seem to find anything on it increasing bone density. Yes, I am taking Actenol, not sure if I am going to be able to continue as I am still struggling with terrible heartburn. I go on the once a week dose starting next Saturday. I will see how it goes.

As far as the Premarin , yes I am taking a very low dose. 0.45 to be exact. My Dr. seemed to think it was a good idea. I am 56 and wonder why I need estrogen? If it will help then I guess it is worth the risk. I know my family Dr. is not going to be happy about it. My Gyno wanted me on it 4 yrs ago and I took for a month and stopped. My family Dr. didn't like the idea of me being on it.

I was just curious if anyone else had been recommended it. I haven't really read about anyone else taking it for Osteo. Thanks for responding Windblown. I will keep looking.

• By windblown
• Reply 112915
• August 3, 2008 at 5:57 pm
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Hi Floridagal: Here's what you're looking for:

Download the PDF below, and your answer to bmd increases is on page 4 para "Clinical Studies" Effects on Bone Mineral Density. If you interested, read the whole article it should explain all your questions. I know people that are taking HRT for osteo. I can't say how they are doing, because they just started it. Estrogen is essential for healthy bones; when estrogen production stops bones *can* become brittle.

www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/04782s129lbl.pdf

• By Floridagal
• Reply 112991 · In reply to 112915 by windblown
• August 3, 2008 at 9:39 pm
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Thanks so much windblown! I will read the whole article. Appreciate your response!!!!

• By nobonesaboutit
• Reply 113119
• August 4, 2008 at 8:04 am
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Dear Floridagal,
Did you happen to notice the date on that article is 2003? Your gyno was right. How did you not see all the news about Premarin a few years ago? Ask you gyno for updated information.

• By wingedwarrior
• Reply 113179
• August 4, 2008 at 10:20 am
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Floridagal,

Rather than Premarin, you might want to ask your doctor about the Climara patch. It has all of the benefits of Premarin but not some of the potential problems of an oral medication because it does not go through the gut. I have been on it almost 10 years and have been told that my osteoporosis would have been significantly worse had I not been on HRT therapy. My understanding is that estrogen won't build bone but it certainly can slow the process down. Good luck to you.

• By Floridagal
• Reply 113305 · In reply to 113119 by nobonesaboutit
• August 4, 2008 at 3:27 pm
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Hi Nobones and windedwarrier,

I had heard a lot of what I read before. No, I did not notice that that was written in 2003. Some of these articles are confusing. I wish someone would write one in clear English. When I asked him(GYNO) about Cancer , his response was all woman get breast cancer. Well that was not a good answer. Just because a lot of woman get Breast cancer dont' mean that I want to take something that proves to cause it. This is all so confusing to me. I have done nothing but read since diagnosed. I am unusual as I had my ovaries removed at the age of 22 and also half my thyroid removed about 20 yrs ago., Everything is against me. Thanks to all of you for your input!

• By aida
• Reply 113538
• August 5, 2008 at 3:26 am
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Hi Floridagal,

I live in Australia and my endocrinologist (specialising in osteoporosis) told me that HRT increases bone density by about .02% and only during the first 3 - 4 months of taking it. I have very low bone density which needs to increase by 20%; due to both menopause AND Scheuermanns disease ( just diagnosed - spine tissue etc stops growing during youth)so have to use Forteo (by injection each day).. I am 59. Good luck Aida

• By Floridagal
• Reply 113678 · In reply to 113538 by aida
• August 5, 2008 at 10:25 am
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Thanks Aida,

I think you posted that somewhere else, or I read it somewhere else. I cannot afford to do the Forteo and to be honest even if I could I am leary about it. I have been faithfully taking the actenol and premerain and vit d and calcium. I will give it one yr and if no increase then I will have to decide then what to do. Thanks for responding! One more thing. I used to take Actenol but was never faithful and never took calcium and Vit D till I joined the community and learned how important it is. My Dr. thinks that I will see a big improvement in one yr. I guess we will see. 10 more months to go!

• By MahaHaha
• Reply 113988
• August 6, 2008 at 2:18 am
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Hope you don’t mind me adding some information that I didn’t see mentioned, but believe may be useful to the discussion of risk assessment and dialogue with your MDs – especially the guy that quacked “all women get breast cancer”.

• BReast CAncer gene 1 (BRCA1) on chromosome 17q21 was identified in 1994
• BReast CAncer gene 2 (BRCA2) on chromosome 13q-12-13 was identified in 1995
• Mutations (as in malfunction) in either or both genes are associated with a higher risk of female breast cancer
• Genetic test are available to look for genetic alteration that may indicate one’s increased risk due to genetic factors and contribution to other factors such as environment or “lifestyle” (smoking, etc). More info. here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/brca
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (www.ASCO.org) recommendations on the use of Estrogen Blockers (aromatase inhibitors) as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women when a biopsy confirms “hormone-receptor-positive” breast cancer. http://www.healthline.com/hgy-transcripts/hormone-receptor-positive
• Example of ASCO information about Estrogen blockers and bone loss http://www.asco.org/ASCO/Abstracts+%26+Virtual+Meeting/Independent+Satellit e+Symposia/Past+Independent+Satellite+Symposia/2007+Independent+Satellite+S ymposia+at+the+Annual+Meeting/Aromatase+Inhibitors+and+Bisphosphonates%3A+I mproving+Long-term+Breast+Cancer+and+Bone+Health+Outcomes?cpsextcurrchannel =1

• By Floridagal
• Reply 114148 · In reply to 113988 by MahaHaha
• August 6, 2008 at 11:09 am
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Thank you Maha,

I appreciate the information and agree with you that it was a quacky statement that all woman get breast cancer. I have a cousin with espohogus cancer and he also has kidney cancer. Another cousin with a brain tumor. Even though there is no breast cancer it seems to be popping up more and more in the family. I appreciate your input!

• By Jacqueline
• Reply 118177
• August 14, 2008 at 4:36 pm
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If you want to take hormones, you might try looking into bio-identical hormones. They may be safer. I don't have any other information at this time.

• By Southernlady
• Reply 145698
• October 9, 2008 at 2:14 pm
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Both of my great aunts was on the drug Premarin or how ever it is spelled..........one for 20 years the other for 21 years and they both got breast cancer.....they know it was that drug and no one else in the family ever had breast cancer.......one of my aunts is on Evista to prevent the cancer from coming back. I will take no hormes.......I don't care if I cry and feel nervous.......I am strong enough to battle those symptoms that hormones cause. My doctor asked me if I wanted hormones and I said for what and he said most women don't want the issues they have after menopause........it is not worth dying over.

• By nancynurse
• Reply 806947
• March 27, 2010 at 3:58 pm
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I think estrogen therapy for bone density and heart health have been disproven as effective. They are not. You get better bone health with dietary calcium/Vit D and with weight bearing exercise.

Likewise, benefits of using any level of estrogen is offset by the risk of breast and other cancers from the use of estrogen. Which is why estrogen replacement therapy has almost disappeared from view.