Influence of pattern of menopausal transition on the amount of trabecular bone loss and fracture rate

Introduction: Bone density is lower in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. Recent longitudinal data on perimenopausal bone density changes show that accelerated bone loss begins well before menopause. This study investigated the dynamics of endocrine changes leading to postmenopausal osteopenia and the time point at which accelarated bone loss begins in untreated women during their perimenopausal years. Methods: 34 pre-, peri- and early postmenopausal women without prior hormone replacement therapy were propectively followed by measuring lumbar spine (L1-L3) trabecular bone density with quantitative comp…