What is osteoperosis?
Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that occurs over many years and can become quite severe, to the point that bones may break from a minor fall or even from sneezing or bumping furniture.
Causes and risk factors
Osteoporosis can be the result of many factors, including:
- In women, a decrease in the hormone estrogen that happens during menopause
- In men, a decrease in testosterone as they get older
- An overactive parathyroid gland that causes the bones to lose their density and hardness
Osteopenia, or low bone mass, is a more moderate decline in bone density than osteoporosis.
Last reviewed:
July 2016