Natural Risk

Several patients in the last month have decided not to take the “unnatural” risk of taking medication for their Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.  They have been scared by the media emphasis on rare possible risks and side effects of taking osteoporosis medication.  They are not aware of the much greater Natural Fracture Risk of being a Post-menopausal Woman.

One patient specifically cited the risk of OsteoNecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) as her reason.  Her risk of ONJ if she takes an Antiresorptive is less than 1 /10,000 per year.   Her FRAX calculation shows a total fracture risk of 1/10 per year and hip fracture of 1/35 per year if she does not take medication.   She is 1000 times more likely to fracture without medication as she is to have ONJ with medication.  Natural Risk can be a Bummer!

Being a Post-menopausal Woman includes Natural Risk for Fractures, including Hip Fractures.  Most women lose 5 to 10% of their Bone Mineral Density (BMD) during Menopause.  Some lose more.  After menopause the bone loss is 1-2% every year.  But that really adds up if you live  30 or 40 years after menopause.

Before we had medications to Prevent Osteoporosis and Prevent Fractures, women had to deal with the Natural Risk.  Many developed humpbacks (kyphosis) as their spine slowly crumbled.  Many broke a hip and died, or spent the rest of their life in a Nursing Home.  They had no other choice.  The only certainty was that their bones became weaker every year.

Now YOU have the option to decrease the Natural Risk of Fractures causing death or disability.  Now YOU CAN Take Control of your future.  Just Do It.

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Bone Health, Fracture, Medications, Osteoporosis