I used to be on estrogen replacement, but I'm not anymore. I've heard that estrogen can cause back problems after menopause. Am I at risk, even though I stopped taking estrogen five years ago?

You're still at a higher risk for back pain than if you had never used estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). However, your risk is less since you're no longer on ERT.

A recent study looked at back problems in 7,209 white women over age 65. Women who used ERT were generally healthier than those who had never used estrogen. But 53 percent of women currently using ERT reported back pain, as opposed to 43 percent of those who had never used ERT. Women who had used ERT sometime in the past fell between these two groups, with 49 percent reporting back pain.

Researchers think estrogen may have a loosening effect on the spine, which can lead to back pain. The fact that current users of ERT have more back problems than past users suggests that estrogen's effects on the spine may be short-lived. Talk with your doctor about your risk for back pain and any extra steps you can take to protect your back.