Osteoporosis Reference Guide
What Causes Osteoporosis?
What Causes Osteoporosis?
There is no one, root cause of osteoporosis. Throughout our lives, our bodies are constantly building new and removing older bone mass. During our childhood, our bodies are creating more new bone than is being removed but by the age of 30, more bone is removed than is created. As this process begins and progresses, Osteoporosis may begin to develop.
Bone loss in men, as well as women who have not yet reached menopause, is minimal. However, after menopause, bone loss in women accelerates as estrogen levels decrease. Estrogen is a hormone that helps the body to continue working. After menopause, when the level decreases, some of this protection is lost.