Reproduced with permission from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, but only a small proportion of people at risk for fractures are evaluated and treated

Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by weakened bones that fracture easily. After menopause many women are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Peak bone mass is usually reached during a woman’s 20s to 30s when the skeleton has stopped growing and bones are at their strongest. The female sex hormone oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone strength. After menopause oestrogen levels drop and this may result in increased bone loss. The average woman loses up to 10 per cent of