Hormone therapy (HT) may guard women against the risk of developing an exaggerated curvature of the spine that creates a forward stooped posture, a study claims. Researchers found that hormone therapy use was associated with a reduction in vertebral fracture risk.

The study published in the journal Menopause shows these same benefits may also guard against a woman's risk of developing hyperkyphosis, an exaggerated curvature of the spine that creates a forward stooped posture. "Women who reported early use of HT were less likely to develop age-related kyphosis, and the protective benefits continued even after stopping HT," said JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). "This supports a benefit of prescribing HT close to menopause," said Pinkerton.

It is well documented that the significant declines in estrogen experienced during the menopause transition contribute to accelerated bone loss, researchers said.
Hormone therapy reverses bone loss and helps prevent fractures. During the first three years of HT use, bone density has been shown to increase steadily and then is maintained during continued use.

The study involved more than 9,700 women aged 65 years and older who were evaluated over a 15-year period. Women who reported continuous or remote past HT use had less pronounced kyphosis by the time they were in their mid-80s than never-users, researchers said. This supports the argument for HT as a possible early postmenopause treatment for women concerned about their posture and fracture risk, they said.

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