Osteoporosis

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Key facts

Osteoporosis is a chronic (long-term) condition that makes your bones more likely to break.
Many people don't know that they have osteoporosis until they fracture (break) a bone.
Osteoporosis can be treated with lifestyle changes and medicines that strengthen your bones.
There are also steps you can take to reduce your risk of falls and fractures.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a common, chronic condition (long-term disease). It's when your bones:

become less dense
lose minerals like calcium
become more fragile

If you have osteoporosis, you are more likely to fracture a bone if you fall over.

Osteopenia is when your bone density is lower than normal, but you don't yet have osteoporosis.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a silent disease — this means it has no symptoms until you break a bone.

Osteoporosis increases your risk of bone fractures. Bone fractures are usually painful. Common fractures seen in people with osteoporosis are:

fractures of the vertebrae — bones that make up your spine
arm bone fractures
hip fractures

Fractured vertebrae can also cause a loss of height and a curved spine.

What causes osteoporosis?

People with osteoporosis have decreased bone density and fragile bones. This means your bones can break more easily.

Getting older is associated with bone density getting lower. Females often lose bone mass more quickly after menopause.

Risk factors for osteoporosis

You're more likely to develop osteoporosis if you have risk factors for the disease.

Some of these risk factors are:

older age
being female
having an early menopause (before 45 years)
having a family history of osteoporosis
some conditions — such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and diabetes
some medicines — such as some cancer treatments and corticosteroids

Some lifestyle factors that increase your chance of getting osteoporosis are:

smoking
drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
not moving around and exercising enough
not getting enough calcium and protein in your diet
not having enough vitamin D

You can find out more about your chance of developing osteoporosis by using the 'Know your Bones' self-assessment tool.

When should I see my doctor?

If you are worried about osteoporosis, see your doctor.

Osteoporosis can run in families. Tell your doctor if you have a close family member with the disease. You should also tell them if you have ever had a bone fracture or break due to a minor injury.

Even if you don't have any other risk factors, see your doctor if you are aged 70 years or older. They may recommend you have a test to check your bone density.

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How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about any symptoms and your medical history. They will also examine you.

Your doctor may recommend you have a bone density scan.

You may need blood or urine (wee) tests if your doctor thinks there could be another condition affecting your bone density. They may refer you to a specialist.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Osteoporosis can be managed with lifestyle changes and medicines. These treatments aim to:

strengthen your bones so that they are less likely to break
prevent falls that could damage your bones

Your doctor will recommend treatments based on your:

age
sex
medical history
bone mineral density results
ongoing risk of fractures

Lifestyle measures for treating osteoporosis

Lifestyle measures that can help treat osteoporosis include:

exercises that strengthen your bones and muscles
stopping smoking
eating a healthy diet with plenty of calcium-containing foods, such as dairy products
having some exposure to sunlight so you get enough vitamin D

Your doctor or physiotherapist can help you build a safe exercise plan which:

suits your needs
reduces your risk of fracturing your bones

Medicines for osteoporosis

Your doctor may recommend osteoporosis medicines to strengthen your bones. There are different medicines for osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates — slow down the natural bone density loss process. These are either taken as pills or injected once a year.
Denosumab — is an injection given twice a year. This can also slow down the development of osteoporosis.
Romosozumab — can be used if you have a very high risk of fractures.
Raloxifene — reduces post-menopausal bone loss.
Menopausal hormonal treatment (MHT) — can be given to females with osteoporosis.
Teriparatide — can be helpful if you've had bones break when taking other osteoporosis medicines.

Living with osteoporosis

It's important to follow your doctor's advice and make any recommended lifestyle changes. This can help improve your bone health and reduce your risk of falls.

Regular follow-up with your medical team is needed to check your ongoing risk of fractures. Your doctor can review your treatment and make changes as needed.

What are the complications of osteoporosis?

Bone fractures from osteoporosis can cause pain and disability.

Fractures can take a long time to heal. They can affect your quality of life and may stop you living independently at home.

Osteoporosis with fractures can lead to chronic (ongoing) pain in some older people.

Like any medicines, there are side effects with osteoporosis medicines. Your doctor will discuss the side effects of any osteoporosis medicines with you before you take them.

Can osteoporosis be prevented?

There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. To help maintain healthy bones:

eat foods containing calcium and protein
get enough vitamin D
stop smoking
maintain a healthy weight
limit alcohol — drink no more than 2 standard drinks a day
exercise — exercises such as walking and strength training can improve your bone density

Preventing falls

Things you can do to lower your risk of falling are:

asking for a review of your medicines
having your eyesight checked
wearing sensible shoes with non-slip soles
exercising to improve your fitness, balance and strength
using aids such as rails and walking aids, if needed

Your doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist can give you tips on preventing falls. An occupational therapist can also check your home for falls risks.

Assessing fracture risk

As you get older, your doctor should check your risk of fractures and your bone density. Even if you have not had any broken bones.

It's recommended that all people aged 70 years and older have a bone density test.

Resources and support

Healthy Bones Australia has information on osteoporosis, including:

You can also call their helpline on 1800 242 141.

Musculoskeletal Health Australia also has information on osteoporosis, and you can call their helpline on 1800 263 265.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2025

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Exercise to prevent osteoporosis - myDr.com.au

Regular weight-bearing exercise and strength (resistance) training can help improve your bone density and decrease your risk of osteoporosis.

Read more on myDoctor website

Osteoporosis and axSpA | Axial Spondyloarthritis (AS) support program | Arthritis Australia

axSpA can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Read about ways to help reduce your risk. MyAS is designed to help people with Axial Spondyloarthritis (AS) seize control and become active participants in their journey with AS

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Menopause and Bone Health – Decreasing the risk of Osteoporosis | Fact Sheet | Australasian Menopause Society Hub

Download: Menopause and Bone Health – Decreasing the risk of Osteoporosis | Fact Sheet MAIN POINTSOsteoporosis is a common condition whereby individuals have weakened bones that can break (fracture) easily.Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone strength, with peak bone mass reached at around 30 years of age. During the time of menopause, oestrogen levels drop and bone loss occurs.Half of women 60 years of age or older have lower than normal bone density (osteopenia), while approximately one quarter have the more severe bone loss seen in osteoporosis.Women who have undergone a premature menopause (menopause before age 40) are at higher risk of osteoporosis.Your doctor can assess your risk for osteoporosis and refer you for a bone density scan.Osteoporosis is a common condition whereby individuals have weakened bones that can break (fracture) easily. Bone loss and fractures affect quality of life and can lead to other health conditions.Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone strength, with peak bone mass reached at around 30 years of age. During the time of menopause, oestrogen levels drop and bone loss occurs.Half of women 60 years of age or older have lower than normal bone density (osteopenia), while approximately one quarter have the more severe bone loss seen in osteoporosis. Women who have undergone a premature menopause (menopause before age 40) are at higher risk of osteoporosis.DiagnosisOsteoporosis does not have any symptoms and unfortunately is often diagnosed after a bone has broken. Low bone density can be diagnosed with a quick and painless bone density or DEXA scan. The scan measures the ‘thickness’ or strength of your bones at the hip and spine.Your doctor can assess your risk for osteoporosis and refer you for a bone density scan.Risk factors for osteoporosisDuring the menopausal transition and after menopause, a range of factors can increase your risk of osteoporosis.Personal circumstances that can increase your risk include:a family history of osteoporosisa previous fracturesmokingalcohol intake of more than 2 standard drinks per dayinsufficient calcium in your dietlow levels of vitamin Dlack of exercise.Medical conditions that can increase your risk include:early menopausediabetesrheumatoid arthritisCoeliac disease, or other intestinal conditions that affect food absorptionThyroid or parathyroid conditionsMedications that can increase risk include:some treatments for breast cancer which block oestrogensteroid treatments such as prednisone or cortisonesome treatments for epilepsy.Lifestyle changes and managing risk of osteoporosisSome risk factors can be controlled though lifestyle changes and this will help reduce your risk of osteoporosis. These include:Adequate calcium in your diet: the recommended intake is 1300mg/day for women age 50 years and over, which is equivalent to 3–4 serves of dairy per day. For those who cannot reach this intake with food, calcium supplements are an optionVitamin D: Vitamin D is important for absorption of calcium. Vitamin D levels increase upon exposure to sunlight. A few minutes of exposure in summer (avoiding when the UV Index is above 3), with slightly longer times needed in winter is recommended by Healthy Bones Australia. Some patients may need Vitamin D supplementsPhysical activity: weight-bearing activity can help you to maintain bone mass. Useful activities include weight-bearing aerobic exercise (walking, stair climbing, jogging, volleyball, tennis and dancing), strength/resistance exercises and balance exercisesStopping smoking: smokers are at higher risk of bone loss and fracturesAvoiding excess alcohol: more than 2 standard drinks of alcohol per day is associated with an increased risk of fracture.Medications for osteoporosisMedications for osteoporosis aim to slow or prevent bone loss and improve bone density over time to reduce the risk of fractures.Some treatments are commonly used for osteoporosis and others have restricted use for people with severe osteoporosis. Medications are prescribed based on the specific circumstances of each person, so it is best to speak with your doctor about your treatment options and any potential side effects of medications.The broad classes of medications include:Antiresorptive medicationsThese medications slow bone loss, improve bone density and decrease the risk of fractures. Included in this class are:Bisphosphonates: these medications can be given by tablet form but are also available as in intravenous infusion.Denosumab: an injection is given every 6 months. Importantly Denosumab must be given without delay at 6-month intervals. Failure to do so may result in spinal fractures.Hormone based therapiesncluded in this group is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). MHT reduces bone loss and risk of fracture. Tibolone and Raloxifene are synthetic medications which mimic the action of oestrogen and are also used to treat osteoporosis. MHT is most suitable for use in women under age 60 and has the added benefit of relieving the symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes.Anabolic (bone building) medications: These agents are effective in building new bone. At present PBS use is restricted to patients with severe osteoporosis who have had a fracture while on other treatment for osteoporosis.Where can you find more information?Your doctor can help with any concerns about the weakening of bones and osteoporosis. Your doctor can tell you about the changes in your body and offer options for maintaining strong bones and managing symptoms. Other fact sheets relevant to osteoporosis and menopause include:Decreasing the risk of falls and fractures before, during and after menopauseMenopause before 40 and spontaneous premature ovarian insufficiencyEarly menopause – chemotherapy and radiation therapyMaintaining your weight and health during and after menopauseLifestyle and behaviour changes for menopausal symptomsOther resources:Healthy Bones AustraliaPhysical activity and exercise guidelines for all AustraliansIf you have any concerns or questions about options to manage your menopausal symptoms or health, visit your doctor or go to the Find an AMS Doctor service on the AMS website.

Read more on Australasian Menopause Society website

Osteoporosis - Exercise Right

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone density). Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are the hip, spine, wrist, upper arm, forearm or ribs. Fractures in the spine due to osteoporosis can result in changes in posture and height loss.As bones become thinner and less dense, even a minor bump or fall can cause a serious fracture. Falls are a common cause of fractures for people with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis usually has no symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often called the ‘silent disease’.

Read more on ESSA website

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Osteoporosis

Key facts

What is osteoporosis?

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?