Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become thin, brittle and weak. These changes can increase the risk of fractures. Fractures can lead to disability. Fractures caused by osteoporosis have been linked to an increased risk of death.
Osteoporosis occurs five times more often in women than in men. Estrogen, a female hormone, protects against bone loss. After menopause, the ovaries produce very little estrogen. This triggers a period of rapid bone loss in women that starts one year before the final menstrual period and lasts for about three years. The natural effects of aging on bones may contribute to this bone loss as well.