Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced.

As
bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs silently and
progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.

What causes osteoporosis?

Left: normal bone, right: osteoporotic boneOur bones are living tissue and
constantly changing. From the moment of birth until young adulthood, bones are developing and strengthening. Our bones
are at their most dense in our early 20s – called peak bone mass. See more detailed information about Bone Biology.
As we age some of our bone cells begin to dissolve bone matrix (resorption), while new bone cells deposit osteoid
(formation). This process is known as remodeling.

For people with osteoporosis, bone loss outpaces the growth of new bone. Bones become porous, brittle and prone to
fracture. For more detailed information see Pathophysiology: Biological Causes of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporotic fractures
Around the world, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged fifty years and over are at risk of an osteoporotic fracture. In fact, an
osteoporotic fracture is estimated to occur every 3 seconds. The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur
at the hip, spine and wrist. The likelihood of these fractures occurring, particularly at the hip and spine, increases with age in
both women and men.

Of particular concern are vertebral (spinal) and hip fractures. Vertebral fractures can result in serious consequences,
including loss of height, intense back pain and deformity (sometimes called Dowager's Hump). A hip fracture often requires
surgery and may result in loss of independence or death.

Prevention, diagnosis and treatment

The good news is there are many steps that can be taken to prevent and diagnosisosteoporosis. It's now a largely treatable
condition and, with a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate medical treatment, many fractures can be avoided.

https://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-is-osteoporosis
 What Women Need to Know
Being female puts you at risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. Here are some facts:

 Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about eight million or 80% are women.
 Approximately one in two women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.
 A woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

There are multiple reasons why women are more likely to get osteoporosis than men, including:

o Women tend to have smaller, thinner bones than men.

o Estrogen, a hormone in women that protects bones, decreases sharply when women
reach menopause, which can cause bone loss. This is why the chance of developing osteoporosis
increases as women reach menopause.

Now the good news:

People used to think that osteoporosis was an inevitable part of aging. Today we know a lot more about how to
prevent, detect, and treat the disease. You are never too young or old to take care of your bones. Good lifestyle
habits can help you protect your bones and decrease your chance of getting osteoporosis. And, if your
healthcare provider hasn’t talked to you about your bone health, it’s time for you to bring it up!

What’s Your Risk?

Osteoporosis and bone health issues vary for girls and women of different ages and ethnic backgrounds.
Caucasian women, and older women, are most at risk for osteoporosis; however, osteoporosis and low bone
density are common among other groups as well. And not only are women at risk; men can develop
osteoporosis as well.

Treating Osteoporosis in Young Women

Most of the osteoporosis medicines available at this time are not approved by the FDA for use in
premenopausal women. But, for women who have taken steroid medicines for a long time, three osteoporosis
medicines are approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. In very rare cases, a healthcare
provider may recommend that a premenopausal woman consider taking an osteoporosis medicine for other
reasons. Examples include when a woman breaks a bone because of low bone density or has severe bone
loss due to a medical condition.

Expecting Women
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D are
good for you and for your baby’s growing bones. If you don’t get enough of these nutrients, your baby’s calcium
needs will be met by taking calcium from your bones.

Most studies show that while some bone loss may occur during pregnancy, a woman usually regains it after
giving birth. In fact, studies show that having children, even as many as 10, does not increase a woman’s
chance of getting osteoporosis later in life. Research even suggests that each additional pregnancy provides
some protection from osteoporosis and broken bones.
Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis.
Some women develop a temporary type of osteoporosis during pregnancy. While we do not fully understand
what causes this type of osteoporosis, it is extremely rare and usually goes away shortly after a woman gives
birth.

Breast feeding.
Like pregnancy, breastfeeding may cause some temporary bone loss. However, bone density appears to
recover over time and should not cause long-term harm to a woman’s bone health. All women who are
pregnant or nursing need to get enough calcium, vitamin D and appropriate exercise to keep their bones
healthy. If you’re breastfeeding exclusively, ask your child’s pediatrician if you need to give your baby
supplemental vitamin D.

https://www.nof.org/preventing-fractures/general-facts/what-women-need-to-know/

Osteoporosis: Why It Affects

More Women Than Men
By Rodney J. Halvorsen, MD , February 09, 2016

Osteoporosis is a bone condition that causes bones to thin and weaken over time, making them
easier to break. It affects both men and women. One in two women over 50 and one in four men
will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Also 2 million men have
osteoporosis.
Yet it’s estimated that 80 percent of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis are women.
Women tend to have smaller, lighter bones than men. This makes women more susceptible to
osteoporosis as there is less mass, and menopause has a greater effect on their bones. Plus,
after menopause the body produces less estrogen and progesterone – two common female
hormones that help keep bones strong. A lack of estrogen can cause bone loss in younger
women too. These differences mean women tend to see faster bone loss than men. Early
menopause can cause early bone loss and disease well before the age of 65. Women lose
more than 30% of their bone mass within five years after menopause.
So what can women do to fight against osteoporosis? It starts with understanding human
bones.

Bones and How They Work

Bone is constantly being built, torn down and rebuilt in the body. As the body digests nutrients
like calcium, vitamin D and potassium, it creates bone mass. Exercises like walking or jogging
also help to strengthen bones.
Strengthening of bones typically continues until people are in their mid-30s. Then bones begin
to lose their density. The hard minerals in bone are replaced by empty honey-comb like tissue.
Lighter and more fragile, they break more easily when you fall or have an accident.

Risk Factors
Beyond gender, risk factors for osteoporosis include:

 Early menopause
 Race white, Asian
 Smoker
 Thin frame
 Steroid use
 Exposure to breast cancer drugs
 Age
 Prior fracture as adult
 Parental history of hip fracture
 Vitamin D deficiencies

In Americans over age 50, osteoporosis is most common in women of European or Asian
descent. Nearly half have low bone density levels, also known as osteopenia. Asian women
have the lowest bone density but are less likely to break bones than white or Hispanic women.
In young women, anorexia, bulimia and lack of periods can elevate your chances of the
condition over time. This is common with athletes who may have eating disorders or too little
body weight because of high activity levels.
Additionally, inadequate physical activity (weight bearing exercise), smoking and drinking too
much alcohol increase your risk.

How Can I Prevent Osteoporosis?

All adults should take steps to strengthen their bones. Start right now, no matter your age. Start
by looking at your lifestyle habits.

 Quit smoking.
 Limit alcohol consumption.
 Eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to absorbing
calcium. You’ll find it in cooked salmon; dairy products and greens including broccoli,
bok choy and kale.
 Get at least 30 minutes a day of weight-bearing physical activity. Jogging, walking and
hiking are great activities to strengthen your bones. Dancing, yoga and tai chi can also
build up your density levels while improving your balance.
 Get outdoors in the sun. Sunshine helps your body process vitamin D, which is essential
to calcium absorption. Exercise outdoors and get a double benefit!
 Get your vitamin D and calcium levels checked by your health care provider if you are
over the age of 50 or post menopause.

The Takeaways
Where do you go from here? Don’t wait until you break a wrist or leg to find out you have
osteoporosis.
During regular check-ups with your health care provider, ask if you’re at risk. Your provider can
work with you to evaluate all your risk factors.
The best way to check your bone-density level is a bone-mineral X-ray test. Generally, your
provider will recommend you have your first bone-mineral density screening if you:

 Are age 65 or older, also during early menopause without estrogen replacement.
 Have broken a bone after age 50.
 Have other risk factors such as family history, history of smoking, heavy alcohol use,
currently on steroids, treated with Arimidex for breast cancer, thin frame.

Talk to your health care provider about the appropriate screening intervals after your first bone
density screening.
https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/patients-visitors/blog/osteoporosis-why-it-affects-more-women-
than-men