Premenopausal Osteoporosis, Pregnancy, And Bisphosphonates

Women are made especially vulnerable to the debilitating symptoms of the bone disease because of the drastic changes brought about by menopause, health experts say. Although osteoporosis has been prevalent in postmenopausal women, some women in their premenopausal phase may have not been exempted.

The early weakening of the bones, while it is not typical may still be common, according to bone experts, explaining how certain risk factors may lead to the premature development of the illness. But while osteoporotic symptoms may be managed and treated through bisphosphonates in older adults, this may not be the case for premenopausal women.

Although the efficacy of bone-sparing medications in the treatment of osteoporosis has long been recognized, the potential benefits and risks of these drugs may differ from pre- and postmenopausal women, medical experts say. With adverse effects incurred by animals in clinical trials, most bisphosphonates have reportedly received a category “C” rating for prenatal use from the United States Food and Drug Administration. Category „C“ may indicate adverse effects in animals from well-controlled studies without being tried in pregnant women. Among the seven bisphosphonate medications in the consumer market, only risedronate (Actonel), and alendronate (Fosamax) have been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of premenopausal osteoporosis particularly in women who are receiving steroids for other diseases.