Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. We accumulate bone mass from childhood into early adulthood, but after age 40, our bone mass declines, putting us at risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men because of the decrease in estrogen levels during menopause. Estrogen plays an important role in bone health, and its decrease leads to reduced new bone formation and increased bone resorption. If your body can't create new bone as quickly as it loses old bone, you may develop osteoporosis. While osteoporosis has no cure, treatments can help strengthen bones and slow their breakdown. These treatments may involve prescription medication, dietary and exercise adjustments, and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking.