Women and Osteoporosis

The majority of people suffering from osteoporosis are women. According to the American Medical Women's Association, half of women over 50 years old will experience a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. All women should understand osteoporosis risk factors, signs, treatment options and methods of prevention.

Definition

• The word "osteoporosis" means "porous bones." It is a systemic disease that weakens bones and causes them to become brittle.

Risk Factors

• Women are more likely to get osteoporosis if they weigh less than 127 pounds, do not get enough exercise, use certain medications, are Caucasian or Asian, or have a family history of the disease.

Prevention

• To prevent osteoporosis, women should be sure to get sufficient calcium and vitamin D. Other lifestyle changes can help, like getting enough exercise, not smoking, using alcohol in moderation, and eating a healthy diet.

Signs

• Signs of osteoporosis include back pain, loss of height, bent posture and bone fractures.

Testing

• A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test is used to measure bone density.

Treatment

• Medications for the treatment of osteoporosis include bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), calcitonin and teriparatide. Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy, but it is not typically the first choice for treatment. You may require physical therapy in addition to medication and lifestyle changes.