What expected results are seen with estrogen therapy in low fracture risk populations?

Estrogen therapy is known to have a significant impact on bone density and fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. In low fracture risk populations, one of the expected results of estrogen therapy is a decreased risk of vertebral fractures. This is because estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density by inhibiting bone resorption (the process by which bone is broken down) and promoting bone formation.

While estrogen therapy may also have some effect on hip fractures and bone density, the highlighted decreased risk of vertebral fractures is particularly pronounced. The vertebral bones are more susceptible to fractures due to the aging process and hormonal changes during menopause, so maintaining their integrity through estrogen treatment can significantly reduce the likelihood of these specific types of fractures.

The other aspects, such as no impact on fracture risk or increased bone density alone without specific fracture location mention, do not fully capture the well-documented benefits of estrogen therapy in this population. Therefore, the focus on decreased vertebral fracture risk aligns with established research findings surrounding estrogen therapy's advantages.