Amenorrhea & Osteoporosis
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding. Amenorrhea is a normal feature in prepubertal, pregnant, and postmenopausal females, however, if it is prolonged, it indicates low estrogen levels.
Estrogen helps women absorb the calcium they take into their bodies. While estrogen doesn’t seem to be more than a sex hormone, most tissues in the body have receptors for estrogen.
Bones contain two different types of cells. Osteoblasts are cells that build bone. Osteoclasts are cells that dissolve old bone so new bone can be added. Estrogen stimulates osteoblasts and more importantly, suppresses osteoclasts.
With less estrogen in the body, such as during menopause, the bone builders, the osteoblasts are outdone by the osteoclasts. Bone building activity never stops happening, but sometimes new bone is being produced at a slower rate than the old bone dissolving.
Estrogen also helps the intestines to absorb calcium, and prevents it from being excreted by the kidneys. It also stimulates the activity of Vitamin D which is essential for absorbing calcium.
Tags: Estrogen, How to, Osteopenia, Osteoporosis
