While there is no cure for osteoporosis, it can be prevented and treated. Osteoporosis primarily affects women after menopause because bone density decreases more rapidly as estrogen levels decline. However, not all women over 50 are at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis-related hip fractures have the greatest effect on disability and death. A woman's risk of fracturing a hip is equal to her combined risk of developing cancers of the breast, uterus and ovaries.
Osteoporosis is a disease without symptoms.
Often a woman and her physician find out she has osteoporosis after a fracture occurs. That is why prevention and the early identification of women at risk for osteoporosis are important. All women can decrease their risk of developing osteoporosis by taking preventive measures now. Getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, and doing weight-bearing exercise can help increase the strength and fracture resistance of your bones. Such preventive measures are especially important in adolescent girls and young women since bone mass usually peaks around age 30 and slowly declines afterwards.