What Causes Osteoporosis?

The following factors can put you at risk for developing osteoporosis, but there are also steps you can take to prevent it.

• Gender. Women are at higher risk for osteoporosis than men. They have smaller bones and lose bone more rapidly than men do because of hormone changes that occur after menopause.
• Age. Because bones become thinner with age, the older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.
• Ethnicity. Caucasian and Asian women are at the highest risk for osteoporosis. African-American and Hispanic women are also at risk, but less so.
• Family History. Osteoporosis tends to run in families. If a family member has osteoporosis or breaks a bone, there is a greater chance that you will too.
• History of Previous Fracture. People who have had a fracture are at high risk of having another.
• Diet. Getting too little calcium over your lifetime can increase your risk for osteoporosis. Not getting enough vitamin D -- either from your diet, supplements, or sunlight -- can also increase your risk for osteoporosis. Vitamin D is important because it helps the body absorb calcium. An overall diet adequate in protein and other vitamins and minerals is also essential for bone health.
• Physical activity. Not exercising and being inactive or staying in bed for long periods can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Like muscles, bones become stronger with exercise.
• Smoking. Smokers may absorb less calcium from their diets. In addition, women who smoke have lower levels of estrogen in their bodies.
• Medications. Some commonly used medicines can cause loss of bone mass. These include a type of steroid called glucocorticoids, which are used to control diseases such as arthritis and asthma; some antiseizure drugs; some medicines that treat endometriosis; and some cancer drugs. Using too much thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid can also be a problem. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking and what you can do to protect your bones.
• Low body weight. Women who are thin and small-boned are at greater risk for osteoporosis.