Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis makes bones weak and more likely to fracture (break). In the U.S., half of adults age 50 or older have osteoporosis or are developing it. You may not know your bones are fragile until they break, since osteoporosis develops slowly and without symptoms. As many as one in three women older than 50 may experience an osteoporosis-related fracture.

Our bodies constantly replace old bone tissue with new growth until we stop getting taller. Once you’re in your thirties, you’re likely losing a small amount of bone tissue each year.

During and after menopause, most women lose bone quickly. In fact, you can lose up to 20% of your bone mass in the first few years after menopause. Your rate of bone loss depends on:

It’s never too early or too late to take steps to prevent osteoporosis or a broken bone.

If you receive a diagnosis of osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend one or more of these treatments: