[Estrogen treatment for prevention and therapy of osteoporosis]

Postmenopausal osteoporosis affects 30% of all women. Major risk factors include hereditary factors, deficiency of calcium and vitamin D in the diet, too little exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and a reduction in the amount or duration of sex hormone secretion (late menarche, early climacterium, etc.). Osteoporosis prophylaxis is of great importance. Since in the early stages, osteoporosis does not produce symptoms, an early diagnostic work-up involving osteodensitometry makes good sense in patients with individual risk factors. In addition to physical activity, basic countermeasures always include adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Replacement therapy with estrogens (usually in combination with gestagens) is an effective and causal treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the indication must be established individually on the basis of a benefit-risk consideration.