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| 1. When Does Osteoporosis Occur? / 2. Loss of Bone Mass / 3. Fractures | |
Effects of OsteoporosisWhen Does Osteoporosis Occur?Most people's bone density peaks in their mid-30s. After that, as a person ages, bone breakdown (resorption) by osteoclasts normally happens faster than new bone formation by osteoblasts, resulting in a very small loss of bone density each year. Osteoporosis occurs when this normal year-to-year rate of bone loss speeds up -- such as when a woman's estrogen levels drop during menopause -- and no (or insufficient) prevention or treatment measures are taken to counteract the bone-weakening effects of the disease.
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