Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. This leads to increased risk of broken bones, also know as fragility fractures. The loss of bone occurs silently and progressively. Often there are no symptoms or pain until the first fracture occurs.
Due to rapid bone loss that occurs at menopause, women are particularly susceptible. Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide. Approximately one-tenth of women aged 60, one-fifthe of women aged 70, two-fifths of women aged 80 and two-thirds of women aged 90.