New research suggests that postmenopausal women’s risk of osteoporosis does not increase if they have had kidney or bladder stones.
Osteoporosis is associated with bone loss and an increase in fractures, osteoporosis causes vary from lack of calcium, vitamin D and experiencing menopause.
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By examining data from 150,000 postmenopausal women, researchers found that although kidney and bladder stones may increase men’s risk of osteoporosis, the link is not present in women.
What researchers did uncover though, is women who have a bladder stone are at an increased risk of developing another.
Over a time period of eight years, 9,856 women reported a urinary tract stone from the study group of 150,000.
Although the link between osteoporosis and stones was not found in women it now may help physicians better diagnose and treat patients.
“If the two relate, and a patient who has not been screened for osteoporosis comes to the office with a kidney stone, her physician might have been concerned she also has a higher risk for osteoporosis,” said study co-author Monique Bethel, of the Medical College of Georgia and Georgia Regents University.
“Our studies indicate she likely does not.”
The findings were included in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
