The study, led by Raz Yirmiya and Itai Bab of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that a link between depression and bone loss is particularly strong among young women. Osteoporosis is the most widespread degenerative disease in the developed world. Sufferers experience decrease in bone density, which often leads to bone fractures. In many cases, these fractures cause severe disability and even death.

Researchers assessed data from 23 projects in eight countries and found that the association between depression and bone loss was stronger in women than men, especially young women before the end of their monthly period.