What is a risk factor for osteoporosis

Who's at risk of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can affect men and women. It's more common in older people, but it can also affect younger people.

Women

Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men because the hormone changes that happen at the menopause directly affect bone density.

The female hormone oestrogen is essential for healthy bones. After the menopause, oestrogen levels fall. This can lead to a rapid decrease in bone density.

Women are at even greater risk of developing osteoporosis if they have:

• an early menopause (before the age of 45)
• a hysterectomy (removal of the womb) before the age of 45, particularly when the ovaries are also removed
• absent periods for more than 6 months as a result of over-exercising or too much dieting

Men

In most cases, the cause of osteoporosis in men is unknown. However, there's a link to the male hormone testosterone, which helps keep the bones healthy.

Men continue producing testosterone into old age, but the risk of osteoporosis is increased in men with low levels of testosterone.

In around half of men, the exact cause of low testosterone levels is unknown, but known causes include:

• taking certain medicines, such as steroid tablets
• alcohol misuse
• hypogonadism (a condition that causes abnormally low testosterone levels)

Osteoporosis risk factors

Many hormones in the body affect bone turnover. If you have a disorder of the hormone-producing glands, you may have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis makes you more likely to break bones because you lose bone mass and density. You may not have any symptoms or pain. The first sign might be a bone fracture.

It’s a myth that osteoporosis is a disease that only affects older white women. Men and women of all ages and ethnicities can get it. However, certain things do make osteoporosis more likely:

Age. Your bone density peaks around age 30. After that, you’ll begin to lose bone mass. So that’s all the more reason to do strength training and weight-bearing exercise -- and make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D from your diet -- to keep your bones as strong as possible as you get older.

Gender. Women over the age of 50 are the most likely people to develop osteoporosis. The condition is 4 times as likely in women than men. Women's lighter, thinner bones and longer life spans are part of the reason they have a higher risk. Men can get osteoporosis, too -- it’s just less common.

Family history. If your parents or grandparents have had osteoporosis or any signs of osteoporosis, such as a fractured hip after a minor fall, you may be more likely to get it, too.

Bone structure and body weight. Petite and thin women have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis. One reason is that they have less bone to lose than women with more body weight and larger frames. Similarly, small-boned, thin men are at greater risk than men with larger frames and more body weight.

Broken bones. If you’ve had fractures before, your bones may not be as strong.

Ethnicity. Research shows that Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than women of other ethnic backgrounds. Hip fractures are also twice as likely to happen in Caucasian women as in African-American women.

Certain diseases. Some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis raise the odds that you’ll get osteoporosis.

Some medications. Certain prescription medications -- for example, if you take steroids such as prednisone for a long time -- can also boost your odds of getting osteoporosis.

Smoking. It’s bad for your bones. To lower your risk of osteoporosis and fractures -- and many other health problems -- work with your doctor to kick this habit ASAP.

Alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to thinning of the bones and make fractures more likely.