Vasomotor symptoms closely associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women

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

The study was conducted by the team of 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 were derived from a comprehensive analysis of twenty studies that involved nearly 50,000 women and provide valuable insights into this previously underexplored area.

The outcomes of this research revealed that while 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, the women who experienced VMS were found to have a 54% increased likelihood of having low BMD when compared to the individuals without such symptoms. This association was more pronounced in the lumbar spine with a significant decrease in BMD observed.

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

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

These studies continue to look deeper into the complex interplay between menopause-related symptoms and the various aspects of women's health that contribute to the valuable evidence which can guide the clinical practice and improve the quality of life for postmenopausal women. The findings underline the need for holistic approaches to menopausal care that prioritize both symptomatic management and the preservation of 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