This invention provides a new method for treating osteoporosis comprising administering:1) a compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1, independently, are hydrogen, hydoxyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 acyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy-C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 -acyloxy, R.sup.2 -substituted aryloxy, R.sup.2 -substituted aroyloxy, R.sup.3 -substituted carbonyloxy or halo;R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkoxy, hydrogen or halo; andR.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkoxy or aryloxy;n is 2, 3 or 4; andp is 4, 5 or 6;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; together with2) a progestin selected from medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone or norethynodrel, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in amounts such that the combination retains or increases bone density.The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations for inhibiting bone loss comprising (1)a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; and (2) a progestin selected from medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone or norethynodrel, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in amounts such that the combination inhibits bone loss, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.