Osteoporosis Health Center
Select a topic to explore more.
Understanding Osteoporosis -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
A person is often not aware that they have osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. But there are symptoms of osteoporosis. They include:
- Backache.
- A gradual loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture.
- Fractures of the spine, wrist, or hip.
Did you know that eight out of every 10 cases of osteoporosis occur in women? While a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age -- and menopause is a key risk factor for osteoporosis -- premenopausal osteoporosis or bone loss that happens before menopause is not uncommon and can result in painful, debilitating fractures.
Read the Premenopausal Osteoporosis article > >
Call Your Doctor About Osteoporosis If:
- You develop a backache or sudden severe back pain, which can indicate a spinal compression fracture caused by osteoporosis.
- Dental X-rays reveal a loss of bone in the jaw, which can be a sign of osteoporosis.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Eric Giza, MD on January 05, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.