The abbreviated version as I understand it. The normal bone remodeling process replaces your bones. Osteoclasts munch away some bone, then is followed by osteoblasts who replace that bone with new strong bone. Thereby remodeling and replacing your entire skeleton in cycles. This process slows down as we age, or can be short circuited by disease. This can leave aging bones weak and brittle. In women the lack of estrogen further complicates this by leaving the new bones less dense. The process used by this class of drugs also short circuits this process in a controlled way. It prevents the osteoclasts from munching away while you take it, and adds strength to the bone you have. This short circuit in remodeling can leave bones brittle. The limit on the one my husband takes is two years, then the bones go back to the normal process of remodeling. Until his disease short circuits it, and causes the osteoclasts to eat more holes in his bones, then he goes back on to strengthen the remaining bone around the holes for two more years. Yes, there are risks to these drugs, like most advanced medicines. But we are living longer than our ancestors, and in a different environment. I believe most treatments are a risk vs benefit decision. Our doctors are here to help us crunch the numbers and make the best possible choice. This will be different for each of us. That being said, the only good decision is an informed decision. I hope this helps in the information gathering stage. I will be sending good thoughts your way.