Best treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Understanding postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bone mineral density and bone mass decrease and the structure and strength of bones change, making bones weak and likely to fracture (break). It is closely linked to menopause: the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) describes osteoporosis as "the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women," notes that low estrogen levels in women after menopause increase the chance of developing it, and states that "for many women, the disease begins to develop a year or two before menopause." It is often called a "silent" disease because it usually causes no symptoms. As MedlinePlus puts it, "You may not even know you have the disease until you break a bone" — most often in the hip, vertebrae in the spine, or wrist. Because it is silent, health care providers may check for a loss of height and changes in posture during an exam. Doctors typically diagnose it with a bone density scan, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for women age 65 and older and for postmenopausal women under age 65 who have factors that increase the chance of developing osteoporosis. Management combines a balanced diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise and strength and balance training, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol, fall prevention, and, when needed, prescription medicines that slow bone loss or rebuild bone. This is general information, not medical advice; talk with a qualified clinician about your situation.

Frequently asked

What treats postmenopausal osteoporosis?

Our catalog lists 26 products that may treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is enoby.

What is the best-rated treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis?

By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — enoby ranks highest among the products we list for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Always consult a professional.

How are these treatments ranked?

By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.

What types of drugs treat postmenopausal osteoporosis?

Treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis span FDA drug classes including bisphosphonate, parathyroid hormone analog, blood coagulation factor, phosphate binder, estrogen agonist/antagonist. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.

Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.