M81.12: Postoophorectomy osteoporosis Upper arm

You have osteoporosis.

With osteoporosis, the bone tissue is less dense than usual. As a result, the affected bones are less strong and they break more easily.

Bones consist mainly of bone cells, certain proteins and various minerals. The minerals include calcium and phosphate, in particular. The bone tissue is constantly being broken down and built up again. This enables bones to adapt well to loading. There is usually a balance between the growth and breakdown of bone tissue. Various messenger substances in the body affect how much bone tissue is built up and broken down. Important in this are vitamin D and certain sex hormones, for example.

The ovaries are part of the female genitals. There are 2 ovaries, one on each side. The ovaries sit low down in the abdomen. The ovaries themselves create various sex hormones. The female sex hormones affect the cycle, for example. They also affect the skin, hair and bone strength.

Your ovaries have been removed. If the ovaries are removed, the proportion of female sex hormone in the blood reduces. This can also change the balance between the building and the breaking down of bone tissue. The change in balance can cause osteoporosis. As a result, bone tissue in your upper arm is less dense than usual.