Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Can you rebuild bone density after developing osteoporosis?

You can’t restore your bone density to what it was at its peak, but you can stimulate bone formation and slow age-related bone loss. Try engaging in weight-bearing and muscle-building exercises, following a healthy diet, and taking one of the drugs approved for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Is there a cure for osteoporosis?

No. It’s believed osteoporosis can be prevented by building strong bones in the first place before age 30. But if you do develop osteoporosis, you can slow your rate of bone loss and possibly increase your bone density by using one or more of the available drugs for osteoporosis, along with healthy lifestyle changes.

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?

Prevention is the best treatment for osteoporosis. Barring that, a combination of regular weight-bearing exercise, a healthy diet high in plant foods, and an osteoporosis drug that you and your doctor agree is safe for you is the best treatment, along with stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.<br>

Can you reverse osteopenia, or below-normal bone density?

<p>You can strengthen your bones and lower the likelihood that <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoporosis/guide/osteopenia/">osteopenia</a> (an early sign of low bone mass) will turn into osteoporosis by following a nutritious diet, consuming the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D in food or supplements, maintaining a healthy weight, doing weight-bearing exercises regularly, limiting your alcohol intake, and quitting smoking if you smoke.</p>

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones deteriorate or become brittle and fragile due to low bone mass and bone tissue loss. It increases the risk of fractures, particularly of the hips, spine, and wrists.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis

In many cases, the first symptom a person may have is a broken bone. This is often as a result of a fall, and most frequently in the spine, wrist, hips, or pelvis.

• back pain
• loss of height
• stooped posture
• easily occurring bone fractures

Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

Bone is not a static part of the body — it’s constantly being resorbed (broken down) and formed throughout your life. During your childhood and teenage years, bone formation occurs more quickly than bone resorption, resulting in growth.

Anything that causes your body to destroy too much bone can cause your bones to become brittle or fragile.

• Being a woman, particularly in your postmenopausal years
• Having a family history of fractures
• Being age 50 or older
• Lower bone mass
• Smoking
• Having low estrogen levels (from menopause or missing menstrual periods) in women, or low testosterone in men
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Anorexia or bulimia
• Dietary deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D
• Lack of exercise
• Long-term use of certain drugs, including glucocorticoids and some anticonvulsants

How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?

• Normal: T-score of -1.0 and above
• Osteopenia (low bone density): T-score of -1.1 to -2.4
• Osteoporosis: T-score of -2.5 and below

Treatment and Medication Options for Osteoporosis

A variety of medication and lifestyle approaches can help slow the rate of bone loss that occurs in osteoporosis.

Medication Options

• Biophosphonates These drugs reduce bone turnover, leading to denser bones. Side effects include gastrointestinal issues and muscle aches.
• Monoclonal Antibodies Denosumab (Prolia) is given as an injection. This treatment is usually only used when others have failed.
• Hormone Therapy Estrogen therapy, like raloxifene (Evista), can be used in women to maintain bone density.
• Anabolic Drugs This drug class promotes bone growth, which can be helpful in people with severe osteoporosis. These drugs include teriparatide (Bonsity), abaloparatide (Tymlos), and Romosozumab (Evenity).

You should speak to your doctor about the best strategy for you, based on your bone mineral density, estimated fracture risk, lifestyle, and any other medical conditions you may have.

Lifestyle Changes and Prevention of Osteoporosis

• Not Smoking In addition to being harmful to the heart and lungs, smoking is also bad for bones, since those who smoke may absorb less calcium from the foods they eat.
• Avoiding Drinking Alcohol in Excess People who drink a lot of alcohol are more prone to bone loss and broken bones due to poor diet and risk of falling.
• Following a Healthy Diet Following a nutritious diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D is critical to bone health.
• Performing Weight-Bearing Exercise Physical activities that force you to work against gravity, such as walking and hiking, strengthen your bones and your muscles.

How Long Does Osteoporosis Last?

Complications of Osteoporosis

While some vertebral fractures cause no symptoms, others can cause back pain and a hunched posture.

FAQ

You can strengthen your bones and lower the likelihood that osteopenia (an early sign of low bone mass) will turn into osteoporosis by following a nutritious diet, consuming the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D in food or supplements, maintaining a healthy weight, doing weight-bearing exercises regularly, limiting your alcohol intake, and quitting smoking if you smoke.

• Ozmen S et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Center. Medicina. December 22, 2024.
• Osteoporosis. Mayo Clinic. December 17, 2025.
• What Causes Bone Loss? MedlinePlus. May 20, 2024.
• Evaluation of Bone Health/Bone Density Testing. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. March 8, 2022.
• Schini M et al. An overview of the use of the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in osteoporosis. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. October 24, 2023.
• Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures. Oregon Health and Science University.
• Denosumab (subcutaneous route). Mayo Clinic. February 1, 2026.
• Bandeira L et al. Anabolic therapy for osteoporosis: update on efficacy and safety. Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism. November 11, 2022.
• Osteoporosis Fast Facts [PDF]. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.
• Prevention. International Osteoporosis Foundation.
• Kashfi SS et al. The relationship between osteoporosis and depression. Nature. July 1, 2022.

Sian Yik Lim, MD

Medical Reviewer

Cathy Cassata

Author

Cathy Cassata is a freelance writer who specializes in stories about health, mental health, medical news, and inspirational people. She writes with empathy and accuracy, and has a ...

Resources We Trust

• Mayo Clinic: Exercising With Osteoporosis: Stay Active the Safe Way
• Cleveland Clinic: Osteoporosis: Prevention With Calcium Treatment
• Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation: What Is Osteoporosis and What Causes It?
• National Institute on Aging: Osteoporosis
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Osteoporosis Basics: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take