Risk Factors

Things that increase your chance of developing osteoporosis and fractures are called “risk factors”. These include:

 

Age — although osteoporosis can affect people of all ages, it is more common in older people than in younger people

Sex –(female) about half of all women older than 50, and a quarter of all men will sustain a fracture related to osteoporosis.

Family history — if your parents had osteoporosis or a fracture as an adult, osteoporosis is more common.

Body type — individuals who are thin and small are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

Hormone levels — estrogen (female hormone) and testosterone (male hormone) help maintain bone density. As these hormone levels drop with age or menopause bone density can be affected.  This may also occur in younger women with missed periods or ovary removal.

Medicines — some medicines cause bone loss and osteoporosis such as chronic higher dose steroid use for asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.  Other medicines that may cause osteoporosis.

Disease — many health problems increase bone loss and treating these conditions may improve bone health.  Diseases and conditions that may cause osteoporosis.