Scattered through this are millions of living bone cells which continually break down old bone and build new bone. The bones in our body are completely renewed over a period of about 10 years. While we are young our bones continue to grow and get denser and stronger. This reaches a peak of maximum strength at 25-30, known as peak bone mass. After that it is, sadly, all downhill.
Bone is lost faster than it can be replaced, as part of the aging process.
In women, loss of oestrogen after the menopause makes them even more susceptible to the condition as this hormone plays an important part in bone formation. In osteoporosis, fractures can occur anywhere in the skeleton but especially in the wrist, spine and hip. One of the biggest problems is that you may not realise you have a problem with osteoporosis until you break a bone following a surprisingly minor fall. These include a bone density scan or DXA scan. The most important thing you can do to prevent osteoporosis is to keep your bones strong and healthy while you are young.