THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS - ANEVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Osteoporosis is one of the most common and debilitating diseases of po stmenopausal women. Recent advances in understanding the bone remodeli ng unit have clarified the pathophysiologic processes that contribute to bone loss after the onset of estrogen deprivation. Epidemiologic st udies have suggested a protective effect from long-term estrogen repla cement therapy on fracture risk. This article examines the key role es trogens play in bone remodeling and the current evidence that estrogen treatment in postmenopausal women reduces the likelihood of osteoporo tic fractures.