Your body has a natural cycle for maintaining healthy bones. As bone tissue grows old and breaks down, new tissue forms to replace it. But after they go through menopause, many women develop an imbalance in this cycle. Old bone tissue breaks down faster than new bone forms to replace it. This is osteoporosis.
You may already be doing things to help prevent bone loss. You eat a healthy diet. You exercise. But if you're past menopause, that may not be enough. Even fit, active women can have postmenopausal osteoporosis. And many women don't know they have osteoporosis until they've broken a bone.
How likely are you to have osteoporosis? Women who have gone through menopause are at the highest osteoporosis risk. There are several other factors that may indicate a greater likelihood of having it. Knowing osteoporosis risks can help you make a plan for your own bone health.
You don't have to wonder if you have osteoporosis. A bone mineral density (BMD) test can tell you. And it's simple, painless and takes just a few minutes.
To help prevent bone loss, it's important to get the recommended daily amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Find foods that can put more calcium into your diet.
Regular weight-bearing exercise can help keep your bones strong. There are several recommended ways to exercise if you have osteoporosis. Find out what they are, so you can discuss them with your doctor.