If there’s one thing I wish more women understood earlier, it’s this: Bone loss is not just an “old age” issue. It’s a women’s health issue. And it's something I am SUPER passionate about... let me explain. My mom has broken both of her hips. And honestly? It wasn’t just because she got older or because she was inactive. Like so many women, the medical system didn’t properly support her hormones, and no one really taught her how important lifting weights is for protecting bone as we age. Her mobility now is permanently affected, like how much does it suck not to just go for a long walk on a beautiful day? She's a champ, but it also sucks. Also, were you on birth control for more than 10 years between the ages of 15 and 25? Research suggests that hormonal birth control methods used during those years may have slowed the rate at which bone density was built. A lot of peak bone mass is built during adolescence and young adulthood. That means the years from roughly the teens into your early 20s are a major “bone bank” window — basically the time when your body is building the bone strength you’ll rely on for the rest of your life. Funnnnn. Or not. When it comes to the long game, bone strength matters more than most women realize. The bones that help you be mobile are in your face; you want the structure to stay strong for that beautiful smile and that incredibly strong body you were born with!! When most women think about “aging well,” they think: - skincare - supplements - diet - stress - sleep And yes, all of that matters. But if you’re not thinking about muscle and bone, you’re missing one of the biggest parts of the long game. As estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause, bone loss can speed up. Estrogen helps keep the normal bone remodeling process balanced — that’s the cycle where your body breaks down old bone and rebuilds new bone. When estrogen falls, the bone breakdown side can start winning, which is why women can lose bone faster in midlife.