by Kathy Downey

Created on: May 04, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones. They lose their density, growing porous and weak. Sometimes they become so fragile that even a sneeze can cause fractured bones. If you are a woman, you are 5 times more likely than a man to develop osteoporosis. For that reason, you may want to look at what you can do to prevent it.

Like other living tissues, bone rebuilds itself by breaking down old cells and replacing them with new ones. In order to build strong bone tissue, your body needs calcium, and in order to absorb the calcium, it needs vitamin D. Make sure that your diet includes plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

Weight bearing exercise like walking or bicycling helps stimulate healthy bone growth. Participating in regular exercise will help keep your bones strong.

Estrogen slows the growth of cells that break down bone while it increases those that build new bone tissue. When a woman enters menopause, her body no longer produces estrogen. This greatly increases her chances of getting osteoporosis.

Simply being a menopausal woman puts you at risk for osteoporosis. Other factors that increase that risk include:
*being thin or small framed
*being of Caucasian or Asian heritage
*smoking
*drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day
*low intake of calcium and vitamin D
*having a sedentary lifestyle
*use of oral steroids for longer than 3 months

Osteoporosis is painless and without symptoms, so many people never know they have it until they fracture a hip or spinal bone. For that reason, doctors often recommend that menopausal women have a bone scan. This procedure provides data about your bone density and how it compares to that of others your age. With this information, you and your doctor can decide what course of action is best for you. If you do need medication, there are several options available.

*Hormone replacement works by replacing the estrogen that your body no longer makes. Sometimes it is given as a pill, but patches and creams are also available. It works best during the first 5 years of menopause. It can cause vaginal bleeding or breast tenderness. In recent years, it has been associated with increased risk of breast or uterine cancer.

*Raloxifene works in the same way as estrogen does, but without the risk of breast or uterine cancer. It is usually taken in table form once daily. You may know it as Evista. This medication often causes hot flashes or joint pain.

*Bisphosphonates are also drugs that work in much the same way as estrogen does. Some of the medications in this category are Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel. Sometimes they are taken weekly or monthly. They do sometimes cause nausea, abdominal pain, or esophageal problems. Reclast is the one bisphosphonate that is taken as a yearly injection. Usually, a physician administers the shot.

*Calcitonin is a hormone that your thyroid gland usually produces. It helps to slow the bone loss process. Usually given as nasal spray, it can cause irritation of nasal passages.

*Tamoxifen is a synthetic hormone that is used to treat breast cancer. While it keeps estrogen from affecting breast tissue, it acts like estrogen on bone cells. It can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or nausea.

*Teriparatide is known as Forteo. It is different from the other medications because it actually stimulates new bone growth rather than inhibiting bone loss. It is given as a daily injection under the skin.

If you are at high risk for osteoporosis, talk to your doctor. Every medication involves the possibility of side effects. Reliable medical advice and good information will help you decide which treatment options are best for you.

Learn more about this author, Kathy Downey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.