Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It affects over 3 million, mainly elderly women, in the UK. This course will include bone biology and the pros and cons of various techniques used to diagnose osteoporosis, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). It will describe the drug treatments currently available and bone changes that occur during the life-cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation. The course is designed for those who have, or may be at risk of developing osteoporosis, or those interested in the science behind this condition. Advice on how to decrease our risk of developing osteoporosis will be discussed. A knowledge of science is not essential.