Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones. It means you have bones that are thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge.
There are four types of osteoporosis:
Primary osteoporosis is the most common type of osteoporosis. It is more common in women than men. A person reaches peak bone mass (density) at about age 30; after that, the rate of bone loss slowly increases, while the rate of bone building decreases. In women, accelerated bone loss usually begins after monthly menstrual periods stop, when a woman's production of estrogen slows down (usually between the ages of 45 and 55).
Secondary osteoporosis has the same symptoms as primary osteoporosis. However, it occurs as a result of having certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or leukemia. It may also occur as a result of taking medications known to cause bone breakdown, such as oral or high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (if used for more than 6 months), too high a dose of thyroid replacement, or aromatase inhibitors (used to treat breast cancer). Secondary osteoporosis can occur at any age.
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare form of osteoporosis that is present at birth. Osteogenesis imperfecta causes bones to break for no apparent reason.
Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis is rare. It occurs in children between the ages of 8 and 14 or during times of rapid growth. There is no known cause for this type of osteoporosis, in which there is too little bone formation or excessive bone loss. This condition increases the risk of fractures.
