Why now, why me?

Healthy Bone

Dense and strong with large amounts of bone tissue and a honeycomb structure.

Osteoporotic Bone

Thinned out and shows less bone tissue and less connecting structure, indicating it has weakened.

Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones." It is a debilitating disease caused by an imbalance between bone loss and bone formation which is accelerated in women after menopause. Osteoporosis is a serious health threat for 28 million Americans, 80% of whom are women. In the United States today, 10 million individuals already have the disease and 18 million more have low bone mass, putting them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.

The link to menopause.

Osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of menopause or aging, but women at midlife are at highest risk of developing the disease. That's because at this time of our life our level of estrogen gradually declines, and at menopause, production ceases. This loss of estrogen is believed to be a main reason why rapid loss of bone occurs after menopause. Unlike other symptoms of lower estrogen levels that we experience at midlife – such as hot flashes, memory lapses, and irregular periods – we cannot feel osteoporosis developing. We can be losing precious amounts of bone without ever knowing it, making osteoporosis aptly called "the silent disease" or "the silent thief." Most women underestimate the seriousness of osteoporosis. Three out of four postmenopausal women have never discussed it with their doctor.

The effects.

In the early stages, osteoporosis may have few, if any, noticeable signs. As the disease progresses, fractures can occur. Experts generally look at any fracture in a postmenopausal woman as a potential sign of osteoporosis. These fractures can result in chronic pain, disability, a curved back or "dowager's hump," loss of height, restricted mobility and loss of independence. At its worst, walking, sitting, lying down, even breathing can become difficult. Bones can become so fragile that sneezing or lifting a child can cause bones to fracture.

Each year, this disease causes over one million fractures of the spine, hip, wrist and other bones. One out of two caucasian women over age 50 will have an osteoporotic- related fracture by the age of 80 if they don't take measures now. More than 20% of all postmenopausal women will develop fractures of their vertebrae that can result in a curved back. Hip fractures not only can leave women permanently disabled but can be deadly. There is a 20% risk increase of dying within the first year after a hip fracture due to such complications like pneumonia and blood clots to the lungs. Osteoporosis can have serious emotional, as well as physical, effects. Victims can feel robbed of life and its pleasures as their ability to care for their family and themselves gradually diminishes.

Who is at risk?

All women are vulnerable to osteoporosis, but several risk factors can increase our chances of developing the disease. Go through the Risk Factor Self Assessment on the next page to see how many risk factors you have.

Risk Factor
Self Assessment

Take it to your doctor!

If you're a woman past 50 and postmenopausal, check here to see how many risk factors you have for osteoporosis. Complete the following list and share it with your physician. Use it as a guide to discuss the preventive methods and treatments best for you.

• Caucasian or Asian heritage
• family history of osteoporosis, broken bones or stooped posture, especially on your mother's side
• anorexia, bulimia or other eating disorders at any age
• menopause before age 45, either naturally or from surgical removal of the ovaries
• low estrogen levels as a result of amenorrhea (the abnormal absence of menstruation before menopause)
• avoided milk and dairy products when you were younger
• small-boned or slender
• a diet low in calcium (as an adult)
• an inactive lifestyle with little or no exercise
• cigarette smoking
• excessive use of alcohol (more than two alcoholic beverages daily)
• prolonged use or high doses of certain medications, including glucocorticoids (like prednisone), certain anti-cancer drugs, synthetic hormones, thyroid hormones and anti-seizure medications.

The truths on Myths

• Breast feeding, being blonde or using antacids do not predispose women to osteoporosis.
• Shrinking is not necessarily a part of the aging process.
• While too much caffeine can cause a loss of calcium, two to three cups of coffee a day cause little calcium loss in women.*