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The development of prostate cancer is sufficiently frightening without also worrying about a broken bone. Those men whose prostate tumours grow in response to male

Menopause means graduation! One year has passed since the last menstrual period—perimenopause is over. Because of the hormonal changes of the first few years after menopause, bone renovation is more rapid and risks for bone loss are greater. Thus we must continue habits that will keep bones healthy for the rest of our lives.

The teen years are a time of major change occurring before and after the first menstrual period. During these years bone not only increases in size (with growth) but also becomes stronger to reach peak bone mass. This is the best time in your life to build strong bones and begin lifelong healthy bone habits.

Bones are complex and important parts of us—carrying us around and protecting our vital organs as well providing a store of calcium. The premenopausal years are a time of gain to peak bone in the spine and to preserve maximum bone through until normal bone loss begins in perimenopause and menopause. Building and maintaining our bones is not just about getting enough calcium—it is a "whole meal deal." Following these ABC's will help you prevent later fractures and osteoporosis.

If our cycles are regular - about a month apart we assume we are ovulatory - meaning releasing an egg and making normal amounts of progesterone. However, ovulation is highly variable for all women. Progesterone raises our first morning (or basal) temperature a little bit. But so do many other things. Thus "basal body temperature" (BBT) charts, even with mid-cycle stretchy mucus (symptothermal methods) may not be accurate for predicting ovulation. Therefore we developed a valid and scientific use of basal temperature called "Quantitative Basal Temperature" (QBT) to assess ovulation and the luteal phase length (number of days of progesterone elevation).

There are many practical ways you (with the help of your health care provider) can treat osteoporosis (fragile bone disease). The treatment is not simply a matter of taking medication. Your lifestyle has a lot to do with it. Here are some of the ways in which you can help prevent bone loss and ultimately prevent fractures (broken bones).

Perimenopause, the time of change before, and a year after the final menstrual period, is also a time of increased risk for falling, bone loss and occasionally, for fractures. Bone loss is more rapid from the start of irregular flow until a year after the final period compared to the first years of menopause.

Below are the many practical things you can do (with the help of your health care provider) to prevent or treat osteoporosis, the problem of weak or fragile bones. Bone health is influenced by how we live our lives