After the age of 50, women lose about 1-2% of their muscles mass each year. Women also lose approximately 25% of their bone mass from the onset of menopause until the age of 60, due in large part to the loss of estrogen.
Estrogen deficiency during menopause is an important risk factor that accelerates the development of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
The Statistics
1 in 10 women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis
50% of postmenopausal women will experience osteoporosis-related fractures during their lifetime
A hip or vertebral fracture is associated with significantly increased mortality rates
Ferrucci L, Guralnik JM, Buchner D, et al. Departures from linearity in the relationship between measures of muscular strength and physical performance of the lower extremities: the Women’s Health and Aging Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1997;52:M275–85
Khadilkar, S.S. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Menopause. J Obstet Gynecol India 69, 99–103 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-019-01213-7
Teng GG, Curtis JR, Saag KG. Mortality and osteoporotic fractures: is the link causal, and is it modifiable?. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2008;26(5 Suppl 51):S125-S137.
Bones and Muscles in Menopause with Hormone Therapy
Estrogen can be used for its antiresorptive quality
Hormone therapy has positive effects on muscle mass retention
Androgen therapy increases lean tissue mass and decreases fat mass
Mechanical loading combined with estrogen results in a greater osteogenic response
Tiidus PM, Lowe DA, Brown M. Estrogen replacement and skeletal muscle: mechanisms and population health. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2013;115(5):569-578. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00629.2013
How HRT can Help
Hormone therapy has positive effects on muscle mass retention. Estrogen can be used for its antiresorptive quality, and when combined with mechanical loading results in greater osteogenic response. HRT with Estrogen increases lean tissue mass and decreases fat mass.