Many medical authorities consider the low numbers of women taking estrogens to be a sign of failure by physicians to properly educate women. One out of four white women over 60 suffers from back or hip fractures. Tens of thousands of women suffer hip fractures each year - frequently dying of complications within 12 months. Wrist fractures are common. Osteoporosis of the spine can result in incredibly painful fractures from normal activities, including sneezing or coughing.
Bone loss is normal with aging, but it accelerates dramatically without estrogens.
Weight bearing exercise, proper diet, estrogens, good posture and a healthy lifestyle seem to help. Vitamin D 400iu s is now recommended. Cortisone pills and overtreated hypothyroidism worsen osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can be also be treated by the expensive and potentially dangerous drugs Fosamax, Didronel, and Calcitonin. The new medication Evista also reverses bone loss.