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Dr. Errol Rushovich of The Endocrinology Center at Mercy

Mercy Endocrinologist Dr. Errol Rushovich Discusses Connection Between Estrogen Therapy And Hip Fractures

It used to be at a certain age almost every woman was routinely put on estrogen therapy. Estrogen is very protective of healthy bones, but today the majority of women do not use it due to certain medical/health risks. So what does that mean for bone health? A new study followed thousands of women for six years — those who went off estrogen therapy increased their risk of hip fracture by 55%.

Mercy Medical Center endocrinologist Dr. Errol Rushovich of The Endocrinology Center at Mercy noted that the study revealed how important it is for women to have a conversation about their doctor about this issue.

"One, you'll want to have your bone density checked, but you also want to look at other risk for bone fracture — did your mother have a hip fracture, are you a smoker, have you had a fracture before? So those other risk factors become extremely important in terms of the conversation in how to manage these risks of having a fracture as you get older," Dr. Rushovich said.

Dr. Rushovich noted that there are drugs on the market to build bone, and one most also take in account the role of diet, weight-bearing exercise and Vitamin D.

To view Dr. Rushovich's interview on WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor" program, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/video/26527433/detail.html