Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disorder. It is characterised by reduced bone strength causing an increased risk of bone fractures.
Bone strength has two main features: quantity in terms of bone density and bone quality in terms of microarchitecture.

Due to a lack of oestrogens, the bone density decreases in the postmenopause. This is a natural process and no reason for worry – just stay alert. If you lose too much bone substance, your fracture risk will increase. Therefore it's important to take care for a good, healthy structure, and quality of the bone

Oestrogens are the primary female sexual hormones. They are produced in the ovaries and control – in addition to the gestagens – the female cycle. Oestrogens have a lot of functions and protective effects beyond the sexual organs, for example on the bone metabolism. If oestrogens decrease in the menopause, the protection is lost.

The bone density can be measured e.g. by X-rays, the bone quality is more difficult to judge. But you can do a lot to maintain a good bone quality: sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D, physical activity, no smoking, etc. For more information, click here.