Are you wondering what’s new in osteoporosis research for 2026? In this episode, I’m joined by my husband, Dr. Craig Bissinger, as we review the most exciting osteoporosis updates from 2026. We share insights from the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis in Washington, DC, covering everything from new medications and bone-building drugs to the latest research on estrogen therapy and early screening strategies.
We discuss the FDA’s new endpoint for drug approval, which could speed up the availability of new medications like the oral version of Forteo. We also review the removal of the estrogen black box warning, showing that for many women, the benefits outweigh the risks, especially for those under 60 or within 10 years of menopause. We also dive into bone turnover markers that track bone building and breakdown in real time, helping you see progress in months rather than years.
Finally, we discuss new screening guidelines, early detection for women, and the importance of interdisciplinary care. Tune in to learn how you can be proactive in protecting and strengthening your bones.
“By changing the criteria for assessing the quality of the drug, they’ve chosen a different parameter, which is the Bone Mineral Density [BMD]…You’re going to have a much more rapid evaluation, and henceforth new drugs will be able to come to the market earlier.“
~ Dr. Craig Bissinger
In this episode:
[01:23] – FDA approves total hip BMD as endpoint for drug trials
[01:57] – Oral Forteo: First pill version of anabolic drug
[04:29] – Removal of estrogen black box warning and implications
[10:16] – Estrogen for bone health, heart, and colon protection
[11:36] – Short-course anabolic therapy vs. maintenance therapy
[16:35] – Importance of medication sequencing
[24:30] – Bone turnover markers for monitoring progress
[32:04] – New screening guidelines for women
[37:55] – Bone medication and cardiovascular risk
[40:07] – The use of AI in diagnostics
[43:18] – Interdisciplinary care and referrals to physical therapy
Resources mentioned
– Get quality supplements from Margie’s Fullscript Dispensary
– Osteoporosis Exercises to Strengthen Your Bones and Prevent Fractures (video series)