What are osteoporosis and osteopenia?

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions of having low bone mass (density). This leads to weakening of the bones and a higher risk of breaking a bone (fracture). Osteoporosis is diagnosed when a person’s bone mineral density measurement falls below a certain threshold. When bone mass is lower than average but not as low as with osteoporosis, a person is said to be osteopenic. People with osteopenia also have a higher chance of fracture, but not as high as with osteoporosis. Untreated osteopenia can worsen to osteoporosis.