A significant number of women in the US have undetected low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. After menopause, all women should be evaluated for fracture risk, to determine the need for further testing. Physicians should initiate a discussion of osteoporosis and fractures with all postmenopausal women. If one or more risk factors are present, BMD testing may be indicated to determine whether therapy is appropriate. It is important to evaluate BMD in all postmenopausal women who present with fractures, and to provide counseling about diet, exercise, and pharmacologic treatment.

Topics covered in this program

• The criteria for initiating treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Nonpharmacologic measures to reduce fracture risk and bone loss.
• Pharmacologic prevention and treatment options and their effects on postmenopausal women.

The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Medical Association designates this module for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nonphysicians may receive a certificate of participation for completing this activity.

The development of this CME web module was supported in part through an independent education grant from the Alliance for Better Bone Health and produced in accordance with the AMA Standards for Industry-Supported Multimedia Continuing Medical Education and Other Communications.