Once this has been done, bone formation begins and new bone tissue is laid down to replace the old. This task is performed by special cells called osteoblasts. Osteoclast and osteoblast function is regulated by several hormones, such as estrogen in women and testosterone in men, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D, among others. During childhood and the teenage years, new bone is added to the skeleton faster than old bone is removed. As a result, bones become larger, heavier, and denser.
Osteoporosis develops when bone removal occurs too quickly or if replacement occurs too slowly.
You are more likely to develop osteoporosis if you did not reach your maximum peak bone mass during your bone building years. Women, Men, and Osteoporosis Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. This is because women generally have smaller, thinner bones, and because they lose bone tissue rapidly after menopause, which usually occurs between ages 45 and 55. This is due to the sharp decline in the production of estrogen after menopause. Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovaries that has been shown to have a protective effect on bone.