The bones are weakened and can suddenly fracture as a result of the disease, osteoporosis. This means that the bone is literally “porous” and can result tin the bone mass and its strength being reduced significantly. Many times women will experience osteoporosis and have no idea because there is no pain or symptoms.

In many cases, osteoporosis is not diagnosed in women until there is a sudden fracture in the hip or back. The downside to this discovery is that once a woman experiences an osteoporosis induced fractures has a much higher risk of developing another one. These fractures can be very difficult to recover from. Luckily, there are ways that women can care for themselves to help reduce or even eliminate the risk of osteoporosis. Those who already have osteoporosis can slow the loss of bone mass by seeking aggressive treatment.

Osteoporosis is related to menopause because when the body begins to stop producing estrogen then osteoporosis may begin to develop. Bone loss may result from any prolonged period of time when hormone levels are very low and there are no menstrual periods.

Osteoporosis is most common in women over the age of 50. Bone mass usually begins to decline in women after the age of 30, which is a natural part of the aging process. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than men and this is partially because of the thinner and lighter bones of women as well as their long life spans. Interestingly, Caucasian women and Asian women are more likely to have osteoporosis. Although, women of color who experience a hip fracture are more likely to die from it.

Women who are lighter and have smaller body frames are more likely to develop osteoporosis than women with larger body frames. Family history and genetics also play a role in osteoporosis. There are even some medications that will play a role in osteoporosis. It’s important for menopausal women to take calcium with vitamin D and to get plenty of exercise to try and combat osteoporosis. It’s easier to keep bone mass from decreasing than it is to increase bone mass after it has already been lost.

Posted in Menopause

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