Commenting on a recent study, National Institute of Mental Health Deputy Director Richard Nakamura, PhD, commented:

"Osteoporosis is a silent disease. Too often, the first symptom a clinician sees is when a patient shows up with a broken bone. Now we know that depression can serve as a red flag - that depressed women are more likely than other women to approach menopause already at higher risk of fractures."

The date from this study gives women with depression yet another reason to work to minimize risks for osteoporosis. The study showed that premenopausal women with depression have less bone mass than women without depression and are more likely to reach menopause with a higher risk of osteoporosis.

What does this mean to you? Read Depression and Osteoporosis Linked in Women to learn more.