Postmenopausal women with
estrogen deficiency are at high risk for
osteoporosis.
Estrogen therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing
postmenopausal bone loss and maintaining bone mineral density. The increasing number of women at risk for
osteoporosis and the high cost of treating this condition emphasizes the importance of preventing
osteoporosis. This study was designed to identify trends and predictors of
estrogen use for
osteoporosis prevention among postmenopausal women. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (1997-1999). Women 35 years and older who had passed menopause or were currently going through menopause were identified from the states including the BRFSS module that asked questions about
estrogen use. Results showed an increasing prevalence in
estrogen use from 1997 to 1999 for
osteoporosis prevention. In 1999, almost a third of the postmenopausal women surveyed used
estrogen to prevent
osteoporosis. Prevalence was higher among women 45-64 years of age, whites, and those with higher education levels. Physician counseling on the benefits and risks of
estrogen therapy was the strongest predictor of
estrogen use for prevention of
osteoporosis. Insurance coverage and compliance with other preventive behaviors such as mammograms and Pap smears were also strongly associated with greater
estrogen use. However, women who were at risk for acute drinking, not married,
overweight or obese, and diabetic were all less likely to receive
estrogen therapy for
osteoporosis prevention. The relationships demonstrated between
estrogen use and demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors and health care access and utilization factors underline the importance of targeting specific groups of women for promoting its protective effect against
osteoporosis.