Post-menopausal Osteoporosis: Can it Be Prevented?

The prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis is a challenge for primary care physicians. Recently available technology to determine bone density can help determine whether intervention other than dietary calcium recommendations and an exercise program is appropriate. Estrogen replacement therapy can be used for post-menopausal women who have no contra-indications. The use of concomitant progestational agents in a cyclic fashion or with a low-dose continuous regimen reduces the risk of endometrial malignancy. In the future new investigational agents that modulate bone turnover could be recommended.