New Report: Hormone Therapy May Reduce Risk of Low Bone Density by 69 Percent

Written by Rachel Murphy · July 9, 2026

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A recent study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that menopause hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT), may help reduce bone loss after menopause.

Researchers reviewed data from 387 postmenopausal women who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, a scan that measures bone density) between 2021 and 2025. Participants who used hormone therapy had 69 percent lower odds of low bone mineral density than those who had not used hormone therapy.

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🗳️ Have you ever had a bone density test or been diagnosed with low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)?

Yes, I’ve been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Yes, I’ve been tested, but I wasn’t diagnosed with low bone density.

No, but I plan to ask my doctor about testing.

No, and I don’t plan to get tested.

The research was presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, in June. The paper has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Hormone Therapy Shows Benefits for Bone Health

This study joins a growing body of research suggesting the benefits of hormone therapy for bone health. Dr. Gillian Goddard, a board-certified endocrinologist and nutritionist, says the study supports what was found during the Women’s Health Initiative, a series of clinical studies launched in 1991 to study major health issues affecting postmenopausal women.

During the much larger study of 25,389 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79, those given hormone therapy were much less likely to have a bone fracture (break).

The new study looked at low bone mineral density, which includes osteopenia and osteoporosis:

Osteopenia means bones are weaker than expected but not weak enough to be called osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis means bones have become weak and brittle, raising the risk of fractures.

While hormone therapy is not prescribed only to prevent osteoporosis or osteopenia, Dr. Goddard said this benefit may change the math when determining whether it is a good fit for women in menopause.

“Any time you’re talking about a medication, you should weigh all of the risks for you specifically,” Goddard explained. “HRT is beneficial for hot flashes and night sweats, but there are now more areas that have been shown to be beneficial.”

How Long To Use Hormone Therapy for Bone Density Benefits

In the past, many women were advised not to take hormone therapy for more than five years. Dr. Goddard said that advice is now softening and should be personalized for each individual.
“Some may need it for more than five years,” she said. “A lot of women put off starting HRT because they worry they might need it later and will have used up their five years.”

A 2025 UK study also showed that women 40 and older who used hormone therapy for five years or longer generally had a lower risk of fractures than those who used it for a shorter time.

Researchers found that fracture risk may go up after hormone therapy is stopped, especially during the first 10 years, before becoming lower again later.

How To Keep Bones Strong During and After Menopause

Bone density should be a concern for anyone in perimenopause or menopause.

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon with Duke Health, recently posted about data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) showing that bone loss speeds up in late perimenopause. The greatest loss happens in the year before the final menstrual period and the first two years after it.

Dr. Goddard recommended supporting bone density from a variety of angles, including incorporating weight-bearing exercise and getting at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium through diet and supplements. She said the average woman over age 50 only gets half the recommended amount.

Before starting supplements, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They can help you decide whether supplements are safe for you, based on your health history and any medications you take. They may also be able to recommend a reputable brand.

For women who’ve already been diagnosed with low bone mineral density, Dr. Goddard strongly encouraged them to consider taking an osteoporosis medication.

“Once a person’s fracture risk is high, the benefits [of osteoporosis treatment] are quite clear,” she said. “Even with hormone therapy, women’s risk for osteoporosis is high, and we need to look at the bigger picture. HRT will not reduce your risk to zero.”

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