- Keep an eye out for skipped periods. This could be a sign that you're entering perimenopause, which means it's time to step up your bone protection plan by doing more strength training exercises and taking calcium supplements. When periods become irregular the real slide in bone mass begins.
- Watch out for sneaky bone robbers. On overactive thyroid can accelerate bone loss, and type 2 diabetes may increase your risk of fractures. These conditions become more common in your 40's.
- Assess risk factors. If you've ever suffered a fracture as an adult, if you have a family history of osteoporosis or fractures, if you are very thin or currently smoke, if you've ever had an eating disorder, or if you went through menopause before age 40, you have an increased likelihood of developing osteoporosis.
- Discuss hormone therapy with your doctor. Short-term hormone replacement therapy to control perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes is not considered risky and can be good for the bones. Over time some HRT can increase the risk of heart attack or breast cancer to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.
Real Simple, May 07
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