Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Osteoporosis Health Center

Osteoporosis Overview

Osteoporosis, or thinning bones, is a serious condition that can result in tremendous pain with fractures. Risk factors for osteoporosis include aging, being female, low body weight, low sex hormones such as during menopause, smoking, and some medications. There are no symptoms of this bone disease until you fracture a bone. Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis include calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, and osteoporosis medications, if needed.

Select a Chapter

Get News Updates | RSS Help

latest headlines

Bone Density at Age 67 May Predict Later Bone Health

Women with normal or nearly normal bone density at age 67 may not need repeat testing for about 15 years, according to a new study of nearly 5,000 women.

Top Stories

Tools & Resources

Understanding Osteoporosis -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?

A person is often not aware that they have osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. But there are symptoms of osteoporosis. They include:

  • Backache.
  • A gradual loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture.
  • Fractures of the spine, wrist, or hip.
Understanding Osteoporosis -- Symptoms

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.