Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia — low bone mass levels that precede osteoporosis — should be treated with medication, Khanna says. Medicines include biphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax), zoledronic acid (Reclast), and ibandronate (Boniva), which slow the rate at which bones break down.
People with more severe disease may also need medicines that increase bone formation, such as teriparatide (Forteo), abaloparatide (Tymlos), or romosozumab (Evenity), she advises.
Medications are a crucial component of treatment and reduce the risk of broken bones. Research has found that individuals with high-risk osteoporosis who are not taking medication to treat the disease have a 23 percent chance of a major fracture over a 10-year period.
Hormone therapy with estrogen is another option for reducing fracture risk, Dr. Faubion says, especially for younger, healthy postmenopausal women who also have hot flashes, which estrogen also helps with. It’s not, however, appropriate for everyone, given the potential risks linked to estrogen therapy.
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