Emotional Support For Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Hearing from your doctor that you’ve been diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis can be devastating! The pain and the struggles of daily life can be disheartening! It is not only a sign of aging but a constant reminder that your body needs help and you cannot solely rely on your diet anymore. However, you are not alone in the fight against postmenopausal osteoporosis; there are around 8 million women in the United States of America. Despite being one of the most common diseases that occur in older women, this disease does not get enough attention nor does the patients get proper guidance on how to deal with it and manage their daily tasks.

Italo/Pexels | Though difficult, postmenopausal osteoporosis does not mean affected women can’t live a long and healthy life

What Is Postmenopausal Osteoporosis (PO)?

Before jumping into the details surrounding emotional support for this disease, you need to understand what postmenopausal Osteoporosis exactly is in the first place. Women who deal with menopause are vulnerable to developing primary osteoporosis since there is a significant connection to estrogen deficiency. During the menopausal transition phase, the gradual drop in the levels of estrogen results in bone resorption rather than formation, which eventually leads to osteoporotic fractures. This is one of the major reasons menopause hormone therapy is considered one of the first lines of choice when it comes to preventing the disease. However, hormone therapy is only considered for women under the age of 60 who are dealing with menopause. 

Jeshoots/Pexels | Women above the age of 60 have to take other medicines to treat the disease

The Lack Of Support For The PO Patients

Now that you know what PO is, it is time we discussed how to deal with it. A 2016 study in France discovered that both patients and doctors tend to trivialize the condition. Hence, this creates an obstacle in the path of finding proper support to deal with it. It is evident that the disease can change and affect your life in various profound ways, resulting in discomfort and pain. A patient suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis might even give up on high-intensity activities to reduce the risk of developing a fracture. That is not all, mobility issues can also occur years later that can hinder independence and result in social isolation.

Emotional Support Is Important

A study conducted in 2021 discovered that women dealing with osteoporosis often complain about the lack of support from the people around them, especially emotional support. This can include educational and self-help groups that help patients understand more about the condition they are dealing with. It can also help in managing their conditions better after meeting up with other women that are dealing with the same and how they are managing their lives. 

Andrea/Pexels | Emotional support can also help these women find the motivation to continue taking care of themselves and find solace in knowing that they are not alone

There are multiple Facebook groups that are working towards this cause and if you think there isn’t one in your area, you can always start your own social media clique.