Anabolic medication—a category of osteoporosis medications that builds new bone.
Antiresorptive medication—a category of osteoporosis medications that can slow the rate of bone loss.
Bisphosphonate—a class of antiresorptive medications that can slow the bone loss that occurs in osteoporosis.
Bone density/Bone mineral density (BMD)—average concentration of minerals in bones.
Bone mineral density (BMD) test—a test that measures the amount of bone mineral in a certain bone; it can be done on different bones of the body, including the hip, spine, forearm, wrist, finger, or heel. BMD tests, such as DXA, provide important information about bone health and strength.
Calcitonin—an antiresorptive medication for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Calcium—mineral necessary for bones to stay strong and for cells in the body to work properly; maintaining adequate calcium intake is important for bone health.
DXA—short for 'dual energy x-ray absorptiometry'; a type of bone mineral density (BMD) test.
Estrogen—a female hormone that controls sexual development and the menstrual cycle and that helps maintain healthy bones in women; when a woman goes through menopause, estrogen production drops sharply, which can increase her risk of osteoporosis.
Estrogen agonist/antagonist—a class of antiresorptive medications that can slow the bone loss that occurs in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Estrogen therapy—a class of antiresorptive medications used to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis; due to associated risks, postmenopausal women should consider other medications before taking it.
Fracture—another name for a broken bone; most osteoporosis fractures occur in the hip, vertebrae (bones in the spine), and wrist, but they can happen in other bones.
Menopause—the time in a woman's life when menstruation stops and estrogen levels drop; bone density decreases quickly in the first few years after menopause for many women.
Osteopenia—another name for low bone mass, however not low enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis; people with osteopenia may benefit from osteoporosis medications, depending on risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures.
Osteoporosis—a disease in which bones are porous, thin, and likely to break from simple causes, like a minor fall.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis—osteoporosis that results from the estrogen loss that occurs because of menopause.
PTH—short for "parathyroid hormone." One type of PTH is an anabolic osteoporosis medication.
T-score—a number generated by a bone mineral density (BMD) test. Your T-score can show if you have osteoporosis.
Vertebrae—33 bones that form the spinal column, or backbone; often at risk of fracture in osteoporosis.
Vitamin D—vitamin produced in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight; helps the body absorb calcium to maintain bone strength.
