Postmenopausal osteoporosis: concerns and costs in clinical management.

There are a number of social, political and medical concerns for the clinician dealing with female patients who are postmenopausal and at risk for the development of osteoporosis which may lead to chronic disability and possibly death. A brief overview of the role of current therapies is given together with their potential for adverse effects. Further research into etiology, diagnosis and optimum management is obviously necessary.