Menopausal osteoporosis manifestations

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 07, 2025
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Women experience osteoporosis during menopause, generally occurring in the later stages of menopause, which is between 9-13 years after menopause. During this period, women may develop osteoporosis. In the early stages, women can experience pain in the lower back, limbs, and joints, which is actually a manifestation of rapid bone loss. Later on, some women may develop a hunched back. Due to the increased brittleness of their bones, they are prone to various fractures, with vertebral fractures being the most common. This is followed by fractures of the distal radius and the neck of the femur.

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How to treat osteoporosis?

To address osteoporosis, it's crucial to determine whether it's primary or secondary in origin. For primary osteoporosis, it is advisable to appropriately supplement with calcium and vitamin D to facilitate bone formation and engage in suitable exercise to strengthen the bones. If the osteoporosis is severe, adding medications that promote bone formation and inhibit bone loss can aid in treatment. If a fracture occurs due to osteoporosis, it is first necessary to reposition and stabilize the fracture, while also using medications to prevent further osteoporosis. Osteoporosis caused by long-term immobilization after a fracture can be managed by increasing physical activity, which helps restore blood flow around the fractured area and prevent such osteoporosis.

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Clinical symptoms of osteoporosis

The clinical symptoms of osteoporosis, in mild cases, may result in no discomfort at all. As the condition worsens gradually, pain may surface in the lumbar and back areas, or even aches throughout the body. This commonly intensifies after physical exertion or activity, leading to a decline in weight-bearing capability, or even an inability to bear weight. The second symptom is a reduction in height and shrinking stature, commonly due to vertebral compression fractures, which can be solitary or multiple, occurring with or without a specific cause. The third symptom involves fragile fractures, which can occur from minimal activities or traumas, like bending, bearing weight, compression, or falling. These are commonly known as brittle fractures, which are clinical manifestations of osteoporosis.

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Is osteoporosis easy to treat?

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and destruction of bone tissue microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility, decreased bone strength, and susceptibility to fractures. It is a systemic metabolic disease. Its treatment includes the following aspects: supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D, and the use of medications that inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. Firstly, calcium supplementation is essential, along with Vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium. Based on the severity of osteoporosis, stronger medications might be necessary, such as bisphosphonates or calcitonin. The choice of treatment plan depends on the severity of the patient's condition. Both bisphosphonates and calcitonin are used to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. The specific duration of treatment for osteoporosis depends on the patient's condition; additionally, patients need to regularly check their bone density. If the bone density is up to standard, they may stop the medication as per the doctor’s advice and undergo regular check-ups. If a relapse occurs, prompt medical treatment is necessary. Thus, the duration of treatment for osteoporosis is relatively long, generally from six months to a year, or even longer.

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What to eat for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is commonly seen in elderly people and mainly refers to a reduction in bone tissue per unit volume, which affects the structure and function of bones. To prevent and treat osteoporosis, it is important to supplement various nutritional elements in daily life, such as calcium, phosphorus, protein, fats, and vitamin D. So, what is good to eat for osteoporosis? Foods rich in calcium are recommended, including milk, milk powder, oysters, eggs, soybeans and soy products, pork bone soup, fish, shrimp, and dried scallops, and should be consumed more frequently. Additionally, foods like carrots, Chinese cabbage, celery, rapeseed, garlic sprouts, leeks, jujube, persimmons, and olives also contain a good amount of calcium and should be included in the diet. Supplementing vitamin D: Vitamin D, after being exposed to ultraviolet sunlight, is an essential substance that promotes the calcification of bones. Taking vitamin D can increase the intestinal absorption of calcium and help in its deposition in the bones, making them stronger. Therefore, patients with osteoporosis should regularly take vitamin D and frequently sunbathe.

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What to do about osteoporosis pain?

After osteoporosis leads to pain, we first need to clarify which part of the body the pain is located, or what causes the pain. If the pain is solely due to osteoporosis, such as decreased bone density in the limbs causing soreness and weakness, it is appropriate to supplement with calcium and vitamin D while also enhancing exercise to alleviate the pain. If the pain is due to fractures caused by osteoporosis, such as vertebral compression fractures or rib fractures, the fractures should first be repositioned, immobilized, and stabilized. Additionally, medications that treat osteoporosis should be used, such as those that inhibit bone resorption and promote bone formation.