Pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis: a narrative mini-review.

Pregnancy and lactation represent stress states for maternal health and development. Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLaOs) are uncommon and rare conditions characterized by the occurrence of fragility fracture(s), most commonly vertebral, in late pregnancy or during the postpartum period. The etiology and pathogenesis of these conditions is not clear and several theories are proposed. Due to the rarity of the disease, various isolated clinical cases are reported in the medical literature and only one case-control study thus far. In the current review we try to analyze the pathophysiologic pathways implicated in these conditions and provide possible explanations regarding etiology; we present data on the epidemiology, clinical course, diagnosis and current approved treatment modalities of PLaOs.