Women should continue to see their physician on a regular  basis throughout life. Your physician is your ultimate medical guide and should be consulted about any questions you may have concerning your health.

Q. Is there surgery that can straighten the back of a woman with osteoporosis?

A. No. The curve is due to compression fractures where the vertebrae actually compress or collapse on top of one another. This can be a very painful condition. Unfortunately, there is no effective surgical solution.

Q. My upper back, neck and shoulders are tight and seem to ache constantly. Do I have osteoporosis?

A. Not necessarily. Other conditions such as stress, poor posture, osteoarthritis (a disease of the joints and the most common form of arthritis), a pinched nerve, even a poor mattress or pillow can cause these symptoms.

Q. I start and stop my estrogen replacement therapy. Will it still be effective in preventing osteoporosis?

A. It will not be as effective as if taken consistently and over a prolonged period.

Q. Do men get osteoporosis?

A. Yes. While women are four times more likely to develop the disease, men also suffer from it. More than two million American men have osteoporosis and millions more are at risk. One in eight men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Because there is no clearly-defined male menopause, there is no predictable time during which men experience a rapid period of bone loss. Osteoporosis in men can be treated with testosterone replacement (if they are deficient in testosterone) as well as other medications and treatments, adequate calcium in the diet, weight-bearing exercise, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake.

Q. How great are my chances of getting osteoporosis if my mother has it?

A. People whose parents have a history of osteoporosis and fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and are at risk for fractures.

Q. Are Caucasian and Asian women the only ones at risk for osteoporosis?

A. No. African American and Latino women have a lower, yet significant risk. For instance, 10% of African American women over age 50 have osteoporosis; an additional 30% have low bone density that puts them at risk for developing osteoporosis. Between 80-95% of fractures in African American women over age 64 are due to osteoporosis. Approximately 13-16% of Mexican American women have osteoporosis. Between 36-49% of Mexican American women age 50 and older have experienced significant loss of bone density.

Q. What's the best advice I can give my daughter and granddaughter so they don't get osteoporosis?

A. Tell them to "think of their bones as a savings account." There is only as much bone mass in your account as you deposit. The critical years for building bone mass are from prior to adolescence to about age 30.* These are the best years to develop good bone health through enough calcium, exercise and Vitamin D.

* National Osteoporosis Foundation

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The information contained in this  guide is for educational purposes  only. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice regarding  recommendations for your individual circumstances. Recommended  treatments and tests may not be  covered under your health plan.