[Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis].

The necessity of the hormonal prophylaxis of postmenopausal osteoporosis is generally accepted today. However, there is no real alternative to the classical estrogen-/progestin-substitution. Every hormonal substitution has to be completed by other prophylactic measures be completed by other prophylactic measures such as an equilibrated alimentation or regular physical activity. Unfortunately, the importance of a reliable premenopausal prophylaxis is not yet fully recognized: It has to be guaranteed that every woman reaches her optimal peak bone mass. Although not all postmenopausal women will need a hormonal substitution if the risk of osteoporosis alone is considered, it has always to be realized that osteoporosis is just one aspect of the polysymptomatic climacteric syndrome due to estrogen deficiency.