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          OsteoporosisWomen's Health Topics Osteoporosis
  
  					From the FDA Office of Women's Health
	
    Share
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    PrintOsteoporosis is a disease that causes very weak bones that break easily.

OWH Pins August September 2014 OSTEOPOROSISPrint and Share (PDF 2098 KB)

En Español

Who is at risk?
	How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
	How is it treated?

Who is at risk?

Anyone can get osteoporosis, but women are more likely to get it than men. You may be more likely to get it if you:

Are over age 50
	Smoke
	Have a low body weight
	Have family members who had osteoporosis or broken bones
	Do not get enough exercise
	Drink alcohol (more than 3 drinks/day)
	Take certain medicines for a long time like seizure medicines or steroids

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

There are tests that use either x-rays or sound waves to measure bone density. These tests are painless. Ask your doctor if you should be tested.

X-ray tests, called DXA scans, examine your spine, hip, or wrist. DXA scans use very few x-ray waves.
	Newer sound wave tests, called ultrasounds, test your heel.How is it treated?

There is no way to cure osteoporosis. There are things you can do to slow it down.

Talk to your doctor to make a plan to keep your bones healthy.

Clinical trials can help doctors learn more about treatments for osteoporosis. Visit the Women in Clinical Trials webpage to learn more about how you can participate.

Prescription Medicines

There are prescription medicines that you can take. These medicines come as a pill, a patch, or a shot (injection). Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before you stop taking your medicine.

Bisphosphonates are a common type of drug given to slow bone loss. Your doctor may offer you other drugs.

Talk to your doctor about how long you should take these medicines.
	Tell your doctor if you start having side effects like new pain in your hip or thigh. Some people who take these medicines had broken thigh bones.
	Some of these medicines may irritate your throat.
	Severe jaw bone problems may also be caused.Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets. They include vitamins, powders, energy bars, and herbs.

Talk to your doctor before you take any dietary supplements. These may affect your other medicines and make you sick.

Lifestyle Changes

There are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk for osteoporosis.

Stay physically active. Do weight bearing exercise like walking.
	Do not smoke.
	Limit alcohol use.
	Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your doctor may suggest taking calcium and vitamin pills.To Learn More about Osteoporosis

FDA approves new treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture
	FDA Drug Safety Communication: Safety update for osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates, and atypical fractures
	How Long Should You Take Osteoporosis Drugs?
	NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center
	MedlinePlus: OsteoporosisResources For You

Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      10/01/2021Women's Health Topics

          
                        Aging
          Anxiety
          Caregiving
          Cholesterol medicines
          Clinical trials
          Contact lens care
          Cosmetics
          Depression
          Diabetes
          Dietary supplements
          Food safety
          Heart health
          High blood pressure
          HIV
          HPV
          Mammography
          Medication safety
          Medicine and pregnancy
          Menopause
          Osteoporosis
          Pain medicines
          Pregnancy
          Sleep problems
          Smoking
          Tattoos and permanent makeup
          Uterine fibroids


                        Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          Free publications for women
 
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