Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: Considerations in Prevention and Treatment

Osteoporosis, the most common human bone disease, affects 8 million American women and has significant morbidity and mortality. Screening is important in older women and younger postmenopausal women with additional risk factors for osteoporosis/ fracture. Preventive measures include avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol/caffeine intake, and falls in addition to maintaining adequate calcium/vitamin D intake and exercise. Estrogen/hormone therapy may be considered in some patients. Various medications have proven efficacy in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, potential adverse effects such as hypocalcemia, worsening of renal impair- ment, and osteonecrosis of the jaw must be considered. The optimal duration of therapy requires further investigation.