The average person’s bone mass peaks at 30. It remains steady into your 40s, then gradually degrades. When women go through the menopause and their oestrogen levels drop, it can have a hugely negative effect on bone health, and bone loss can decline steeply.
Unfortunately for menopausal women, it doesn’t end there: for the following five to seven years post-menopause, women can lose up to 20% of their bone density, which, if not managed, could lead to osteoporosis.
This is due to the loss of oestrogen. As a hormone, it’s crucial for maintaining bone density and strength. As the hormone disappears, your bones suffer from the lack of hormone, density degrades and strength goes with it, leading to a higher risk of fractures and breaks.
Signs to look out for include
Breaking bones without realising, or brushing them off as accidents. If you break a bone in your 40s, it’s worth paying attention and noting if it happens again, and if it does ensure that you get checked by health professionals for osteoporosis, especially if you’ve gone through the menopause below the age of 45.
That’s why building bone strength via strength and conditioning is crucial for all women once they hit 40, and especially after the age of 50. Combining weight and resistance training with high-impact aerobic exercises such as running or tennis is key to keeping bones powerful and healthy, and warding off falls and breaks for as long as possible.
