Menopause hormone therapy slashes risk of low bone density, new data shows

Some people sail through menopause, the end of a woman’s reproductive years, with the cessation of menstrual periods being the only sign that it has happened. For others, the years leading up to and following menopause are a time of hot flashes, disturbed nights, urinary problems, thinning hair, mood changes, brain fog, and a loss of bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis .

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help to alleviate these symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone going through the menopause. Now, a small study being presented at ENDO 2026 , the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago, is adding to the evidence that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help prevent bone density loss that often leads to fractures.

In their study, researchers found that women on MHT were 69% less likely to have low bone mineral density than women who were not on the treatment. “We’ve known that bone protection is a benefit of menopause hormone treatment and this study supports that long-held belief.” — Ruthann Devera, M.D.