Decreased bone density - Revive Hormone Institute

What is decreased bone density?

Decreased bone density, also known as osteopenia or osteoporosis, occurs when the struts and plates that make up bone tissue become thinner and the spaces between them grow wider. This causes the internal structure of bones to become less dense and subsequently more fragile and prone to fracturing.

Some key points about decreased bone density:

• It often develops without symptoms, so many people don't know they have it until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a broken bone.
• Women are at higher risk due to rapid bone loss during/after menopause from declining estrogen levels.
• Other risk factors include family history, low calcium intake, smoking, excess alcohol, and long-term corticosteroid use.
• DXA scans measure bone mineral density to diagnose and monitor bone loss over time.
• Prevention and treatment focuses on weight-bearing exercise, calcium/vitamin D supplementation, quitting smoking, and possibly bone-building medications like bisphosphonates.

If you've experienced painful fractures from minor physical impacts, your physician may recommend a DXA scan to measure your bone mineral density. Osteoporosis often requires long-term management to protect bone health, which is where our integrative medicine clinic can help.

Revive Hormone Institute takes a holistic, integrative approach to promoting bone growth and preventing excess loss in patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Our physicians can provide customized treatment plans involving:

• Bioidentical hormone therapy to supplement estrogen, testosterone, and other depleted hormones driving bone loss
• Prescriptions for bone-protecting medications along with careful monitoring for long-term safety
• Targeted nutritional guidance from our dietician focusing on sufficient calcium, magnesium, vitamins D and K intake
• Referrals to our physical therapist for weight-bearing workouts tailored to your fitness level and bone health goals

If you or a loved one has received an osteopenia or osteoporosis diagnosis, don't wait to take action—fragile bones raise your risk of life-altering fractures. Schedule a visit with Revive Hormone Institute to discuss evidence-based treatment options personalized to your health needs and goals.