An association between osteoporosis and premenstrual symptoms and postmenopausal symptoms

This study examined the relationship of premenstrual and postmenopausal symptoms with vertebral osteoporosis by means of a retrospective case control questionnaire in patients with vertebral osteoporosis and control patients. Seventy-five postmenopausal women aged 55–70 years with vertebral osteoporosis and 77 age-matched controls were interviewed at the outpatient clinics of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK to establish the past history of premenstrual symptoms, and present and past history of postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms. The risk of vertebral osteoporosis was significantly greater in women with a history of premenstrual symptoms (RR = 1.86) or oligomenorrhoea (RR = 3.08). Significantly more patients with osteoporosis than controls recalled vasomotor symptoms at the time of the menopause (RR = 1.35). Patients were more likely than controls to describe their symptoms as severe (RR = 1.43) or persistent (RR = 2.19). We conclude that the relative risk of vertebral osteoporosis is increased in women with a history of premenstrual symptoms, irregular periods, and with severe and/or persistent menopausal vasomotor symptoms.