The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 89, No. 7 0
Copyright © 2004 by The Endocrine Society
Patient Information from the Hormone Foundation |
Osteoporosis and Women’s Health
John Bilezikian, MD,
Steven T. Harris, MD and
Louis Sherwood, MD
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What is osteoporosis?
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Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to fracture or break. It is called a "silent" disease because bone loss occurs often with you knowing it.
Until about age 30, your body forms enough new bone to replace the bone that is broken down by the body (bone turnover). The highest bone mass is reached between age 30 and 35, and it declines after that. After menopause, however, women begin to lose bone at an even faster rate.
Osteoporosis develops when your body cannot replace bone as fast as it is broken down.
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Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
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In the United States, 28 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis. Ten million already have the disease. Women make up 80% of cases. Your risk for osteoporosis is higher if you have a family history of the disease and if you are: - Postmenopausal (age 60 and older) or missing menstrual periods
- Thin or have a small frame
- Caucasian or Asian
- Taking steroid medications
- Eating a diet low in calcium and vitamin D
- Getting little or no exercise
- Smoking cigarettes
- Drinking too much alcohol
If you have gone through menopause, have had a fracture (bone break), have been taking hormone therapy for a long time, or are considering treatment for osteoporosis, a bone density test (DXA scan) can help determine your risk of fracture. If you are over 65 and do not have any of these other risk factors for osteoporosis, you should still have a bone density test.
Too much bone loss (osteoporosis) can lead to fractures, which can cause serious health risks, including disability and premature death.
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How is osteoporosis prevented and treated?
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Diet and exercise are always a part of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. However, when diet and exercise are not enough to protect your bones, your doctor may prescribe medications such as: - Bisphosphonates
- Raloxifene
- Teriparatide
- Estrogen
- Calcitonin
All of these treatment options are effective, but may have side effects. Talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you.
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What should you do with this information?
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Bone loss is a natural part of aging, but there are things that you can do to keep your bones healthy. You can start by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, either through diet or supplements (e.g., 1,000 – 1,300 mg of calcium; 400 – 800 IU of vitamin D daily); doing weight-bearing exercises and staying physically fit; and avoiding smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
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Resources:
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- Find-an-Endocrinologists: www.hormone.orgor call 1-800-HORMONE
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: www.nof.org
- Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disease National Resource Center (NIH): www.osteo.org or call 1-800-624-BONE
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/uspstfix.htm
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Factors That Can Lead to Osteoporosis
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- Low estrogen (e.g., postmenopausal women; irregular menstrual periods in younger women)
- Long-term use of steroid medications (e.g., prednisone, cortisone)
- Hormonal conditions (e.g., hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism; type 1 diabetes, hyperprolactinemia)
- Anorexia (due to poor nutrition and abnormal ovarian function)
- Too much exercise or stress that leads to loss of periods.
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Footnotes
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For more information on how to find an endocrinologist, download free publications, translate this fact sheet into other languages, or make a contribution to The Hormone Foundation, visit www.hormone.org/bilingual or call 1-800-HORMONE. The Hormone Foundation, the public education affiliate of The Endocrine Society (www.endo-society.org), serves as a resource for the public by promoting the prevention, treatment, and cure of hormone-related conditions. This page may be reproduced non-commercially by health care professionals and health educators to share with patients and students. Translation by MEDI-FLAG Corp.
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What is osteoporosis?
Who is at risk...
