Bone Density Issues in the Adolescent Gynecology Patient

Because adolescence is a critical period for acquisition of peak bone mass, adolescent gynecology clinicians can play an important role in promoting and reinforcing skeletal health. Efforts should be focused on maximizing nutrition, exercise, and a normal sex steroid status during these formative years. Close attention should also be given to factors that jeopardize the attainment of peak bone mass: amenorrhea, malnutrition (e.g., anorexia nervosa), use of medications with deleterious effects on bone, and underlying medical conditions that may predispose a young woman to early bone loss. This review places special emphasis on a patient commonly seen in the adolescent and gynecology practice, the female athlete.