How to reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

1. The potential magnitude of health-care resources necessary to provide for the complications of postmenopausal osteoporosis is staggering considering that the average women lives 25 years after menopause. 2. The development of postmenopausal osteoporosis is influenced by endocrine and metabolic changes as well as age and sex-related effects on bone. 3. Nurses are increasingly being put in the position of improving the quality of life of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis as well as teaching preventive measures to populations at risk for developing the disease. 4. Therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis includes the appropriate treatment of the acute problems and the prevention of further bone loss. Therapy must take into account the individual nature of the disease with different approaches to management utilized.