International Women’s Day: A world free of stereotypes applies to osteoporosis, too

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. That’s one of the opening battle cries splashed loud and proud across the International Women’s Day website.

Women’s health is of course at the top of the agenda for charities such as ROS, who continue to battle the sexist (and ageist) stereotype that osteoporosis is just another unfortunate part of getting older for us ladies.

And while the bone-weakening condition does disproportionally affect our gender (with half of all women over the age of 50 expected to break a bone as a direct result), the misery it causes is preventable – provided that it’s identified as soon as possible and people are educated on how to look after their bone health, with informed choices made about the treatment options available if necessary. From mammograms to cervical screening, health screenings routinely offered on the NHS are not unfamiliar to us women – so why isn’t bone density part of the list?

Unfortunately, the stigma and stereotypes surrounding osteoporosis are alive and well.

Still often thought of as a condition that only bothers elderly ladies, people are surprised to learn that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite the decline of bone density starting in your 30s, a YouGov poll commissioned by ROS last year worryingly showed that only 12% of UK adults realise that osteoporosis can affect those of working age.

Debra, a lady diagnosed in her early 50s, commented that despite being very open about it, people “scuttle off” when she mentions her osteoporosis. I know from personal experience exactly what she means. I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis last year at the age of 61 – and I can assure you that I consider myself far from old. The condition being perceived as an ‘old person’s thing’ or taboo, as Debra puts it, means that perhaps people are afraid to talk about it in case of causing offence – it truly is the silent condition.

We really need to change the narrative if we’re to have any chance of helping people like Debra. After all, she was one of the lucky ones – her osteoporosis was picked up after her doctor sent her for tests around the menopause, and she’s since worked hard to improve her bone health by changing her entire outlook on exercise. But others aren’t so fortunate. With no diagnosis and no idea that they’re at risk of life-changing fractures, women across the country are walking around blissfully unaware of the urgency needed to take action for their bones.

When that breast screening letter lands on the doormat, will bending down to retrieve it cause a spinal compression fracture?

In the absence of routine bone screenings, there are essential things that all women must do. Keeping active by including weight-bearing impact exercises in your everyday routine is vital – and isn’t as scary as it sounds. Simply walking is a form of low impact exercise, for example. If you’re able, why not also try some moderate impact activities such as jogging or playing tennis?

Of course, eating a balanced diet is another must. And while pretty much everyone knows that calcium is important for bones, did you also know that you need adequate levels of vitamin D to allow the calcium to do its work? Safe exposure to sunlight during the summer months will provide you with enough vitamin D over this period unless you cover up or don’t get out much. But UK guidance recommends all adults take a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement from October-March.

Taking a few minutes out of your day to do the ROS risk checker is a great starting point to not only figure out your potential risk of breaking a bone, but also get useful tips on where to get started with making such lifestyle changes. This International Women’s Day, ROS are encouraging everyone to share the risk checker with five of their family and friends on social media – an excellent way of highlighting the sheer scale of osteoporosis and helping more people to live well.

Let’s also mark the day by committing to a world free of stereotypes. Turning the silent condition into something on the lips (and not hips) of every woman is a wonderful way to start.

Click here to read more about Debra’s story.