Vasomotor symptoms closely associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women

A recent study published in the recent edition of Osteoporosis International log highlight the relationship between vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and bone health in peri- and postmenopausal women. Vasomotor symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats and have long been recognized as common and distressing experiences for women going through menopause.

The study was conducted by the team at Panagiotis Anagnostis, who systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the existing evidence to investigate the association of VMS with fracture risk and bone mineral density (BMD). The findings are derived from an extensive analysis of twenty studies involving nearly 50,000 women and provide valuable insights into this previously underdeveloped area.

The results of this study showed that although VMS did not significantly increase the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women, they were strongly associated with low BMD, which is a key indicator of bone health. Specifically, it was found that women who experienced VMS were 54% more likely to have low BMD compared to those without such symptoms. This association was more pronounced in the lumbar spine, where a significant decrease in BMD was observed.

Importantly, the conclusions of this study remained consistent even after factors such as VMS severity, age, and study design were taken into account. Furthermore, the association between VMS and low BMD persisted when the analysis was limited to the studies that excluded the use of hormone therapy in menopause by indicating the robustness of the findings.

Overall, the findings of this study have significant results for the management of postmenopausal health in women. Although VMS does not directly increase fracture risk, its association with reduced BMD underlines the importance of addressing these symptoms early to reduce the potential long-term effects on bone health.

These studies continue to delve deeper into the complex interplay between menopause-related symptoms and different aspects of women’s health that contribute to the valuable evidence base that can guide clinical practice and improve quality of life for postmenopausal women. The findings underscore the need for holistic approaches to menopause care, prioritizing both symptomatic management and maintaining bone health.

Source:

Anagnostis, P., Lallas, K., Pappa, A., Avgeris, G., Beta, K., Damakis, D., Fountoukidou, E., Zidrou, M., Lambrinoudaki, I., & Goulis, D.G. ( 2024). The association of vasomotor symptoms with fracture risk and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. In Osteoporosis International. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-024-07075-8