Here’s bad news for women with osteoporosis who are being treated. Not all anti-osteoporosis drugs are safe and effective. Some of them have serious side effects that are bad as the disease itself.

While early drug therapy can prevent complications like fractures of the hip, spine and wrist, medical experts warn that some therapies remain controversial and require further study.

Osteoporosis or porous bones affects 200 million people worldwide and more than 30 million women in the United States and Europe. At risk are white and Asian women who lose the female sex hormone estrogen rapidly following the onset of menopause.

This causes the bones to become brittle and thin, making them more susceptible to crippling and life-threatening fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures can be triggered by sneezing, lifting a heavy object or bending. Because it is a silent disease without any symptoms, osteoporosis is often undetected until irreversible damage to the skeleton occurs.

What are some of the drugs used to prevent or treat osteoporosis? Here are the more common ones and their side effects:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or estrogen replacement therapy is usually prescribed to women immediately after menopause to alleviate the discomfort associated with decreasing estrogen levels. Extended use of estrogen that is given by means of pills or a skin patch, reduces osteoporotic fractures by 50 percent or more. But there’s a catch: To benefit from HRT, you must take it for at least seven years. If you stop taking hormones before the age of 70, the bones start thinning immediately and fast.

In those who have heart disease, hormones may trigger a heart attack. In some, they can make the breasts swell and feel uncomfortable. Evidence from dozen of studies also suggest that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer.

Another drug is calcitonin that is available as an injection or nasal spray. This is a chemical produced by the thyroid gland that decreases bone loss and may control the pain of fractures. Some studies show that long-term treatment with nasal calcitonin may prevent further bone loss in the spine. However, calcitonin may lose its effectiveness after long-term use. Another drawback is its price. Treatment can be costly and cause nausea.

Bisphosphonates are drugs that have been used for years to treat bone diseases. They prevent bone loss and increase bone mass at the spine and hip. While they have few side effects, they become less effective over time.

A safe and inexpensive way to prevent osteoporosis is to take calcium-rich foods. Many published studies show that low calcium intakes are associated with low bone mass, rapid bone loss, and high fracture rates. This can be corrected by consuming milk and other dairy products, high-calcium orange juice, vegetables, sardines, tofu, and yogurt. For those who can’t get enough calcium in their diet, calcium supplements are advised, especially for pregnant and lactating mothers as well as postmenopausal women.

To strengthen bones, embark on a regular exercise program. Weight-bearing exercises are beneficial and can help prevent osteoporosis. To keep you in shape, take Phenocal – a safe and natural weight loss supplement that will boost your metabolism, suppress your appetite, increase energy levels, and help you lose unwanted pounds. For more information, visit http://www.phenocal.com.

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