Smoking Increases Bone Loss in Women Over 40
Smoking can increase bone loss regardless of age by as much as 5%-10% a year , but as women get older they lose bone mass in other ways as well. Smoking intensifies this effect of many of the reasons for bone loss in women over 40.
Smoking can decrease levels of the hormone estrogen in the body. The loss of estrogen leads to an increase in bone loss. Estrogen levels drop as it is with the development of perimenopause causing increased bone loss of 2%-5% per year . If you smoke, your estrogen levels will go even lower. Lowered estrogen can even lead to early menopause in some women.
Hormone replacement therapy may not be as effective in smokers. Many women going through hormone replacement therapy for symptoms after menopause. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women who smoked had up to half the estrogen levels of non-smokers even if they were receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Smoking increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. If cortisol levels are too high over a long period of time, cortisol can break down bones leading to an increase in bone loss.
If you are a woman of 40 years old and you smoke, you may want to consider the effects that smoking will have not only on your total health, but on issues affecting your bones. Although you may not be able to completely prevent all issues contributing to an increase in the risk of bone loss, there are some things you can control.
You can increase your weight-bearing exercises. Though over 40 you may not build much in the way of bone mass, weight-bearing exercises can help slow down loss of bone as you age. Reducing stress can prevent excess levels of cortisol that contribute to bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy is a personal issue that should be discussed with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits.
Since smoking can contribute and increase the other reasons for bone loss, the best thing you can do is quit smoking. I know that is easier said than done. Speak with your doctor to find a smoking cessation plan that works for you. With all of the other issues that contribute to an increase in bone loss in women over 40, quitting smoking is one thing you have control over.
SOURCES:
MedicineNet; Osteoporosis Prevention & Treatment, Exercise & Estrogen
Jytte Jensen, M.D., et al.; Cigarette Smoking, Serum Estrogens, and Bone Loss during Hormone-Replacement Therapy Early after Menopause; The New England Journal of Medicine
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