Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Osteoporosis among Postmenopausal Women: A Review of Literature
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease which affects bone mineral density. It is becoming an alarming public health concern internationally. Osteoporosis can affect wide range of population, but postmenopausal women are more susceptible to become osteoporotic due to hormonal deficiency. The drop of estrogen after menopause leads to more bone resorption and less bone formation. This is considered the overall pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Luckily, hormonal therapy can stop this process if given in early years of menopause. Menopause hormone therapy does not only play a preventive role on osteoporosis, but also protects against osteoporotic fractures. On the other hand, menopause hormone therapy is not effective among women older than 60 years old. The aim of this review is to spot light on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Moreover, to highlight methods of diagnosis and the management of osteoporosis at different stages of women’s life after osteoporosis. And also, to give some recommendation on the preventive measures to be followed in order to prevent osteoporosis and reduce its complications especially fractures.