Bone and joint health with age: what the research says about Menopause hormone therapy, Vitamin D, Testosterone therapy

What people try

3Menopause hormone therapyStage 3 · Large studies in people · PrescriptionMenopause hormone therapy means taking estrogen, with or without progesterone or a similar hormone, to replace hormones the body no longer makes.Main risk: The pages stress that combined estrogen and progestin therapy may raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer.3Vitamin DStage 3 · Large studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in a few foods, added to others, sold as a supplement, and made by skin in sunlight.Main risk: Blood levels above 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL) can be linked to harmful effects.3Testosterone therapyStage 3 · Large studies in people · PrescriptionTestosterone therapy uses man-made testosterone to treat low testosterone, and it can be given as a pill, gel, patch, injection, or implant.Main risk: The page lists several risks of this therapy, including infertility, an enlarged prostate, blood clots, and worsening heart disease.2Stem cell therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinics, often abroad; clinical trialsStem cells are cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body and serve as a repair system.Main risk: The FDA says it has received reports of blindness, tumor formation and infections from unapproved stem cell products.2CreatineStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCreatine is a compound stored in your muscles that supplies them with energy.Main risk: Creatine can cause weight gain because it tends to make the body hold water, but it is otherwise considered safe for healthy adults.

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What others are writing

Recent articles from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.

health.harvard.edu · Julie Corliss · Aug 24, 2026

Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk ↗

Testosterone therapy: A study found men using testosterone without low-testosterone diagnosis had higher heart problem and death risk than those treated for hypogonadism.

STAT · Scott Rodeo · Dec 18, 2025

Regenerative medicine marketing outpaces the science ↗

Stem cell therapy: An orthopedic surgeon argues that stem cell and regenerative treatments are marketed far beyond what the science proves.

CNN · Nov 10, 2025

HRT: ‘Black box’ safety warning to be removed from hormone therapy for menopause ↗

Menopause hormone therapy: The FDA plans to remove the black box warning on menopause hormone therapy, with labels updated to reflect newer evidence.

NBC News · Nov 10, 2025

Hormone replacement therapy will no longer carry a warning label, FDA says ↗

Menopause hormone therapy: The FDA is removing the black box warning from hormone therapy labels and recommending it for women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset.

This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.

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