In association with the Irish Osteoporosis Society, organised by Amgen
Do you know about osteoporosis?
We want to see your mother, your grandmother and your aunt all living their best lives.
But osteoporosis is a silent disease that women are more likely to develop than men, so it's time we all have a chat about it.
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects your bones. It causes them to become weaker, so they break very easily. As a woman ages, her risk of osteoporosis increases – particularly for women over the age of 65.
With typically no signs or symptoms in early stage of bone loss, osteoporosis common disease affects more than 300,000 people in Ireland. 75% of broken bones due to osteoporosis happen in people aged 65+.
The good news is, it's treatable for the majority of people which makes early detection key.
That's why it's important that we chat with the women in our lives about their bone health, because she doesn't deserve a break... or a fracture. Neither do you.
The more we chat, the more we can break the silence and help women to keep living their lives to the fullest.
Are there any risk factors?
As a woman ages, her risk of osteoporosis increases with those aged 65+ most at risk.
Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men as they age partly due to hormone changes, especially after menopause.
If there's a family history of osteoporosis, your risk is usually much higher – especially if a parent has suffered a broken hip.
Taking in an excess of alcohol, fibre or caffeine can also increase your risk, as does smoking and physical inactivity.
Fortunately, there are many ways to be proactive about bone health. If you are aged 65+, you can get in touch with your GP or you can visit www.irishosteoporosis.ie.
Who should we talk with about this?
Your Mother, your grandmother and your aunt – they're all people we'd recommend you chat with about osteoporosis.
Starting a conversation now about bone health can help your loved ones to reduce their risks of bone loss. If bone loss is occurring, a conversation can help them recognise the need to seek a diagnosis and get treated.
So let's break the silence. It's time for all of us to talk about osteoporosis and make it a priority so we can protect the women in our lives.
Encourage the women you love to prioritise their bone health in the same way as other health checks and make it a part of your medical calendar.
For more information about osteoporosis, visit your local GP or www.irishosteoporosis.ie.
All stats and data taken from Irish Osteoporosis Society.
IRL-NP-0424-80003
April 2024
