Osteoporosis is a condition that results in thinning of bones, making them weaker over time and more brittle. Bones in our body are continually being built and rebuilt again. Several minerals and exercises help to strengthen them. However, this stops in our mid-30s. Then our bones start losing density, which makes them more fragile. Hence, the risk of Osteoporosis is more in older people.

It still doesn’t answer our question about does, and if so, how it affects women more. The answer is yes, women are at a greater risk of having Osteoporosis and broken bones, especially as they reach their 40s.

There are several reasons for why this happens:

• Bones in a woman’s body are smaller and thinner, as compared to those in men.
• Estrogen and Progesterone are the hormones in females that help protect the bones. In women, whose bodies produce less of these hormones, the risk of Osteoporosis rises further.
• After menopause, the production of Estrogen in a female body reduces sharply. This results in bone loss and subsequently, further rise in risk of developing Osteoporosis.

The good news is that today we know a lot more about Osteoporosis and hence can help you prevent as well as cure it. So, what can you do to prevent it? Osteoporosis occurs more in older women, so females can start building denser and stronger bones from an early age to reduce the risk. The technique for doing so is simple:

• Eat a well balanced diet
• Get sufficient Vitamin D and Calcium
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid smoking and drinking

A good lifestyle can protect you from brittle bones and many other diseases. You are never too old to take care of your body. Start today!