Swedish research now confirms what other research has suggested…menopause occurring before the age of 47 is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture as women age.
Specifically, at age 77 56% of women who experienced an early menopause (average age of 42) had osteoporosis, while only 30% of those who went into menopause at age 47 or later had the diagnosis. Also, fracture incidence was higher among those entering menopause before age 47.
But before you throw your hands into the air in frustration, I encourage you to remember that the very first truth of The Better Bones Revolution Manifesto is “there is an intricate, interwoven fabric of life in the universe.” This means that while we as humans generally do our best to mess with natural things, there’s a vast intelligence and order to nature with a harmony in the way things develop and function. When we listen to this intelligence, we can harness the power of nature to heal!
In the case of this study, we see that our bodies do indeed provide powerful clues about what is going on inside us. Rather than feeling a bit hopeless, women can use early menopause as a stepped-up call to action to take the healing steps outlined in The Better Bones Revolution checklist:
• Develop an alkaline diet
• Supplement with all 20 key bone nutrients
• Exercise ½ to 1 hour each day
• Make a commitment to seek happiness and reduce worry
While the age at which we experience menopause may have complicated origins due to many factors, there’s plenty that we can do to build and maintain strong, healthy bones at any age. And remember, an increased risk is still not a guarantee that you’ll suffer from osteoporosis or a fracture – especially when there’s the opportunity to take action.
Reference:
Svejme, O, HG Ahlborg, JÅ Nilsson, MK Karlsson. 2012. Early menopause and risk of osteoporosis, fracture and mortality: a 34-year prospective observational study in 390 women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03324.x.