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

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.3CalciumStage 3 · Large studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCalcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions.Main risk: Some research suggests that high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer.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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Sorted by the best research stage of each product's ingredients, then by price. The stage describes research on the ingredient, not proof that the product works.

Supplements 24

Recent research

Study in Genetic data plus a large US health survey of postmenopausal women

Hormone replacement therapy and survival, linked to aging clocks and blood sugar

This study linked estrogen signals and hormone therapy to slower aging clock markers and lower death risk.

New trial

Testing creatine and HMB with home exercise for muscle loss in Huntington's disease

Researchers plan to compare creatine, HMB, both together, and a placebo, with all groups doing home exercise.

Lab study in 34 preclinical animal studies, mostly mice and other mammals

Stem cells and exosomes studied for organ aging in animals

This is a review of 34 animal studies on stem cells and exosomes.

Lab study in fruit flies (Drosophila)

Fruit fly study finds a gene that helps remove aging gut cells

Researchers found a protein-making gene that rises in aging fruit fly gut cells and helps them get shed.

Summary of earlier studies

How aging and weight gain may work together to lower testosterone in men

This review summarizes past studies on how aging, obesity and low testosterone may feed into each other.

See all the latest research →

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

Stay strong and mobile: bones and joints