OSTEOPOROSIS IN MENOPAUSE You go home for Christmas and notice your mum is standing a little more hunched than before, and complains endlessly of back pain. You chalk it up to old age, but you’re worried.

OSTEOPOROSIS IN MENOPAUSE You go home for Christmas and notice your mum is standing a little more hunched than before, and complains endlessly of back pain. You chalk it up to old age, but you’re worried.

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Why Menopause Increases the Risk

Estrogen plays a key role in protecting bone strength. During menopause, estrogen levels drop sharply, and bone loss speeds up. In fact, women can lose a significant amount of bone density in the first 5–10 years after menopause.

This is why osteoporosis is much more common in postmenopausal women. Over time, small fractures in the spine (called compression fractures) can cause:

  • A hunched or stooped posture

  • Chronic back pain

  • Loss of height

  • Reduced mobility and balance

These changes often happen gradually, so families may not notice them until pain or posture changes become obvious.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because bone loss happens without pain at first. But as it progresses, symptoms may include:

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