Illustration of an older woman surrounded by healthy bones and statin pills.

Statins and Bone Health: Unveiling the Link for Women Over 70

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on how statins may improve bone density and reduce fracture risk in older women, challenging previous assumptions."

Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bone microstructure and reduced bone strength, is a major health concern affecting millions worldwide. This condition significantly elevates the risk of fractures, leading to substantial personal suffering and increased healthcare costs. While low bone mineral density (BMD) is a well-established risk factor, other elements like genetics, smoking habits, and certain medical conditions also play crucial roles.

Statins, commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risks, have also shown potential benefits for bone health. Experimental studies suggest that statins can stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. However, previous research using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure BMD has yielded inconsistent results, and it has remained unclear whether statins affect trabecular or cortical bone.

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism investigates the association between statin use and bone microstructure in older women, examining whether any observed differences depend on factors like physical function, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. This research delves into the potential benefits of statins beyond cardiovascular health, offering valuable insights for preventing osteoporosis and fractures in older women.

How Statins Impact Bone Density in Older Women

Illustration of an older woman surrounded by healthy bones and statin pills.

The study, titled "Association Between Cortical Bone Microstructure and Statin Use in Older Women", involved 3,028 women (mean age 77.8 ± 1.6 years) from the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden. Researchers gathered data on medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors through validated questionnaires. They measured bone geometry and microstructure at the ultradistal and distal (14%) sites of the radius and tibia using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

The key findings revealed that the 803 women using statins had:

Higher body weight
Worse physical function
More frequent cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Lower cortical porosity (radius and tibia)
Higher cortical bone density (radius and tibia)
Greater cortical area (radius and tibia)

These positive associations between statin use and bone characteristics remained significant even after adjusting for a range of confounders, including age, weight, smoking, other medications, and prevalent diseases. This suggests that statins may have a protective effect on cortical bone, the dense outer layer of bone that contributes significantly to bone strength.

The Implications for Bone Health

This research suggests that statins may offer more than just cardiovascular benefits, potentially playing a role in maintaining bone health in older women. The observed improvements in cortical bone characteristics, including reduced porosity and increased density, could contribute to a lower risk of fractures. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage and duration of statin treatment for bone health benefits. Larger randomized trials are essential to fully understand the potential of statins in enhancing bone geometry, increasing bone density, and reducing cortical porosity, ultimately contributing to the prevention of osteoporosis-related fractures.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What are statins, and why are they relevant to bone health in older women?

Statins are medications primarily prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risks. The relevance to bone health in older women stems from recent research indicating that statins may also improve bone density and reduce fracture risk. This is particularly important for women over 70, as osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bone microstructure, becomes a significant health concern with advancing age. The study focused on women from the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden to examine this connection, offering insights into potential benefits beyond cardiovascular health.

How does statin use affect bone microstructure, and what specific bone characteristics are improved?

The research, titled "Association Between Cortical Bone Microstructure and Statin Use in Older Women", revealed several positive associations. Women using statins exhibited lower cortical porosity and higher cortical bone density in both the radius and tibia. They also displayed a greater cortical area. These findings suggest that statins have a protective effect on cortical bone, which is the dense outer layer critical for bone strength. These improvements remained significant even after adjusting for various factors such as age, weight, smoking habits, and other medications.

What is the significance of cortical bone in relation to statin use and fracture risk?

Cortical bone, the dense outer layer of bones, plays a crucial role in overall bone strength. The research demonstrated that statin use is associated with improved characteristics of cortical bone, including reduced porosity and increased density. These changes contribute to stronger bones and potentially a lower risk of fractures. By positively impacting cortical bone, statins may offer a protective effect against osteoporosis-related fractures in older women. Further research is needed to validate these findings and optimize statin treatment for bone health benefits.

What were the key findings of the study "Association Between Cortical Bone Microstructure and Statin Use in Older Women"?

The study, involving 3,028 women with a mean age of 77.8 years, found that the 803 women using statins had higher body weight, worse physical function, more frequent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, they also showed lower cortical porosity, higher cortical bone density, and a greater cortical area in both the radius and tibia. These positive associations between statin use and bone characteristics remained significant even after adjusting for various factors, suggesting a protective role of statins on cortical bone.

What further research is needed to fully understand the potential of statins for bone health in older women?

Further research is essential to confirm the findings and determine the optimal dosage and duration of statin treatment for bone health benefits. The research emphasizes the need for larger randomized trials to fully understand the potential of statins in enhancing bone geometry, increasing bone density, and reducing cortical porosity. These studies will provide more conclusive evidence on the role of statins in preventing osteoporosis-related fractures and guide clinical practice for women over 70.