It has been scientifically established that women predominantly have osteoporosis because of several factors including menopause which occurs on average, at the age 51 (NIH, 2011).  The age-associated factor of menopause which attributes to a significant decline of androgen and estrogen level, led to a significant increase in osteoporosis, in women.   As life expectancy in women increases, the increase will broaden the gap between osteoporosis in women than men (Healthy women, 2011).  Nonetheless, gender, age, race and frame size (body size/ skeletal size), are unchangeable risk factors for osteoporosis   (Mayo clinic, 2012).  While changeable risk factors such as hormonal levels like sex hormones, thyroids and other glands levels; or dietary factors (including low calcium intake), steroid/medications such as prednisone, and lifestyle choices such as tobacco use play vital roles in osteoporosis (Mayo clinic, 2012).

Osteoporosis condition involves the depletion of the bone structure or skeletal architecture of the individual thus making the bone become brittle due to resorption and less deposition or formation of new bone (Mayo clinic, 2012). Report shows that osteoporosis affects about 200 million women worldwide (IOF, 2011).  However, this condition is not limited within women population. In fact, men within the age of 65 and above also experiences osteoporosis (NIH, 2011).  Osteoporosis is a silent killer, and if left untreated, it could cause a lot of complication including hip, bone and vertebral fracture which may lead to internal bleeding and death (IOF, 2011).

Osteoporosis can be treated or rather the risk could be easily minimized by taking Vitamin D, Cholecalciferol with calcium, exercising regularly and eating a healthier diet that is rich in calcium (Zofkova, 2008).  Treatment of osteoporosis will also depend on the severity of the disease and the cause of the disease, for instance, men with hypogonadal syndrome can be treated for osteoporosis by testosterone injections or substitutes (Zofkova, 2008).  In most severe cases for women, estrogen substitute or supplement may be recommended. Most importantly, it is essential to exercise regularly and avoid smoking, excessive alcoholism, immune-suppressor and glucocorticoid drugs to mention but a few, in order to minimize the risk of osteoporosis (NIH, 2011).

References

Healthywomen (2011). Androgens. Retrieve from http://www.healthywomen.org/             condition/androgen.

IOF. (2011). Facts and statistics about osteoporosis and its impact. Retrieve from             http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics.html#factsheet-category-19.

Mayo Clinic. (2012). Osteoporosis. Retrieve from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/             osteoporosis/DS00128.

34-Menopause. (2012). Osteoporosis Risk Factors. Retrieve from http://www.34-menopause-            symptoms.com/osteoporosis-risk-factors.htm.

NIH. (2011). Menopause. Retrieved from http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/menopause.

NIH. (2011). Osteoporosis in Men. Retrieved from http://www.niams.nih.gov/HealthInfo/BoneOsteoporosis/men.asp.

Spangler, F., Padgett, J., & Ek, W. (1997). The Genetic Component of Osteoporosis. CSA.com. Retrieved from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/archives/osteo.php.

Venken, K., Moverare-Skrtic, S., Kopchick, J., et. al. (2007). Impact of androgens, growth hormone, and IGF-I on bone and muscle in male mice during puberty. J Bone Miners Res, 22(1), 72-82. Retrieve from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17014385.

Women health. (2009). Osteoporosis. Treatments and risk factors for Osteoporosis. Retrieved from http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/osteoporosi1/a/osteoporosispre.htm.

Zofkova, I. (2008). Hormonal Aspects of the Muscle-Bone Unit. PR, 57, 159-169.  Retrieve from http://search.proquest.com.ezp.walde nulibrary.org/docview/212246712