Adding Oral Estrogen on Post menopause woman

I was on Forteo for 2 years and followed my treatment with bioidentical hormones to maintain the gains. I was about 62 at the time I went on hormones. Oral estrogen has the most risk so it is best to use a transdermal patch which bypasses the liver. If you still have a uterus, you will need to go on oral progesterone in addition to the transdermal estrogen. The common dose prescribed is 100 mg progesterone. There are greater risks going on hormones outside of the 10 year window post menopause but there are risks with any medication you take. I chose hormones as the most natural approach to maintaining my bones even though I was just outside that safer window of time. I wish I went on them sooner. I've been on them 5 years now and my bones have somewhat stabilized. If you are considering hormones, it is best to have a practitioner who is knowledgeable in this area (few are). You can find a practitioner on the North American Menopause Society website.

I just got a supply estrogen patch from my doctor. I know there are risks, but made risks with osteoporosis drugs. I took only estrogen patch for 30 yrs as I had a hysterectomy at 70. I had no side effects with the patch. I went off it but did not have severe osteoporosis then. Now I do, and will take a small dose. I know it won’t rebuild bones, but hopefully maintain what I have. I also am doing weights and exercises, plus calcium and vitamins. I hope I have made the right decision by not taking Evenity or other suggestions from my doctor. Let’s hope I don’t fall.

Keep us posted !

Hi , wondering why you went off the patch? Also, what is the dosage of the patch you are on now? Check out the Liftmor and BEST trials for weight lifting. Very encouraging!

I went off the patch as I had knee replacement surgery. Doctor recommended I discontinue due to blood clots that are common with knee replacements. I’m of the lowest dose of the estrogen patch.

What is Liftmore?

Liftmor is a clinical trial from the The Bone Clinic in Australia that had postmenopausal women (some with a history of fractures) lifting very heavy weights (barbells for deadlift) and two other High Intensity strength training exercises for 30 minutes twice a week. At the end of 8 months there was a gain of BMD. The women were supervised by physiotherapists - not personal trainers as they felt they needed the expertise to make sure these women had perfect form first before attempting the deadlifts and that they continued having perfect form. Just google Bone Clinic of Australia or Liftmor for further details. They now have a program called Onero- it is a franchise but I think there are only two of them so far in the US- Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
There are others in this forum or the Inspire forum who have reported on using personal trainers for the same exercises or personal trainers for using machines at the gym, with success in increasing BMD.
The BEST clinical trial used the machines at a gym.

In the BEST clinical trials they were comparing women who were on HRT to those who weren't. Those who weren't on HRT did gain BMD but not as much as those who were both on HRT and did the exercises.

I have added estrogen and progestrone together. Based on recommendations from my gyno. However, my bone specialist says it does not realy help with severe osteoporosis

My encronoligist says it helps prevents heart attacks. Since Evenity has been black boxed because of potential heart attacks, I have elected to stay on the estrogen and progesterone.

I don't think anyone really knows at this point.

What is considered serious osteoporosis? Anything 3.00 and over for this hips? What about the spine?