Bone mineral density in premenopausal women with oestrogen deficiency and symptomatic coronary heart disease

Serum oestrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, oestrogen deficiency is rare. In 13 premenopausal women with symptomatic coronary heart disease (CHD) and significantly reduced serum oestrogen levels, bone mineral density, determined by quantitative computed tomography (QCT), was not reduced. In these women, oestrogen deficiency was probably one risk factor for the development of CHD. The level of serum oestrogen that protects women from the development of CHD might be different from the level that protects them from early loss of bone mineral density. Seven of the 13 women had a history of tubal sterilisation. This might be a possible risk factor, causing ovarial dysfunction and oestrogen deficiency.