CLEVELAND, Ohio (Sept 1, 2021)—The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has announced the release of “Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: the 2021 position statement of The North American Menopause Society.” This new position statement reflects the latest thinking and findings regarding risk factors and available risk-assessment tools for identifying women who are candidates for pharmacologic therapy, as well as clarification of appropriate intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and protein to maintain bone health.
NAMS released its last position statement on osteoporosis in 2010. Since that time, important advances have been made in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. For example, a preparation containing conjugated estrogens combined with bazedoxifene, rather than a progestin, received approval for osteoporosis prevention, as did three targeted therapies, including two bone-building drugs, for the treatment of women with osteoporosis at high risk of fracture.
According to Dr. Michael McClung, a member of the NAMS board and Co-Lead of the Editorial Panel for the 2021 Osteoporosis Position Statement, NAMS reviewed data on these therapies, as well as on emerging treatment modalities, when drafting its findings. “Education regarding a woman’s skeletal health risks is critical during the menopause transition,” says Dr. McClung. “The recommendations made in the updated position statement include strategies designed to minimize bone loss as a way to prevent fractures and help women maintain mobility and independence.”
Highlights from the 2021 position statement on osteoporosis management include
“This new position statement on osteoporosis provides clinicians with a practical guide to assessing and managing bone health in postmenopausal women and emphasizes an individualized approach with regular follow-up and adjustment based on changing clinical needs and patient preference,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.
“Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: the 2021 position statement of The North American Menopause Society” can be viewed at ( http://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/2021-osteoporosis-position-statement.pdf ). For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit www.menopause.org .
Founded in 1989, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is North America’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. Its multidisciplinary membership of 2,000 leaders in the field—including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, nutrition, anthropology, epidemiology, pharmacy, and education—makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause and healthy aging. To learn more about NAMS, visit www.menopause.org .
Menopause
10.1097/GME00000000000000001831
Literature review
People
Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: the 2021 position statement of The North American Menopause Society
1-Sep-2021
This position statement was made possible by donations to the NAMS Education & Research Fund. There was no commercial support.