Hormone Therapy Linked to Lower Risk of Low Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women
A retrospective cohort study presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, has found that women using menopausal hormone therapy had a significantly lower risk of low bone mineral density compared to non-users.
The study included 387 postmenopausal women who underwent DXA scans between 2021 and 2025. Among them, 33% were users of menopausal hormone therapy and 67% were non-users. Low bone mineral density was defined as either osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Results showed that users had approximately 69% lower risk of low bone mineral density in the spine and hip, after adjusting for age, time since menopause, vitamin D levels, smoking, and other health conditions.
"This finding suggests hormone therapy may independently protect bones."
— Diego Espinoza-Peralta, Principal Investigator