Endocrinological status of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The knowledge of the endocrinological status of postmenopausal osteoporosis has considerably progressed in recent years, although many issues remain to be settled. Better knowledge will foster better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disabling condition, and will be of help in designing more effective ways of preventive therapy in a disease where a recent survey showed that 34% of the physicians were unsure as to whether or not it is preventable. Other approaches dealing with exercise, fitness, nutrition, environment, genetic and racial background, or the quality of bone, should not be neglected. Many of these other factors may also be related, at least partially, to the hormonal status.