[Treatment of osteoporosis by the gynecologist]

At least one of four women is suffering from osteoporosis with fractures of vertebrae, forearm or hip. Maintenance of bone-mass is a crucial argument for long-term estrogen replacement for prophylaxis of osteoporosis. 2 mg estradiol or 0.625 mg conjugated estrogens, or 50-100 micrograms estradiol percutaneously are equally sufficient for prevention of osteoporosis. The additional use of a progestagen in women with intact uterus may support the antiresorptive effects of estrogens. Improvement of patients' compliance of estrogen substitution--administered today in only 25% of postmenopausal women in Germany--by sufficient information upon estrogen replacement therapy provided by the medical community is an awarding task for physicians and scientists engaged in the field of menopause and prevention of osteoporosis.