Biological and Medical Risk Factors

• Biological Sex - Women have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis.
• Race - Caucasians and Asians are at greater risk of having osteoporosis.
• Age - Since bone loss begins at around age 30, the risk of osteoporosis increases with age.
• Family History - If others in your family have experienced hip or spine fractures or become hunched over as they age, you are at greater risk of experiencing the same symptoms.
• Body Frame - A thin body frame with low body weight for height will increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Post Menopause - Women who are past menopause have reduced estrogen, so their chances of losing bone mass increase.
• Low Estrogen - There is more risk if women have had a low rate of estrogen over their lifetime. The deficiency can be the result of late onset of puberty/getting their period, early menopause (before 40), or an absence or suppression of menstruation.
• Medication Use - Certain medications increase the risk of osteoporosis because they contribute to loss of bone mass when used long term. These drugs include steroids, inhaled steroids, anti-epileptic drugs, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, and thyroid hormone suppressive therapy.
• Nutritional Conditions - Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, chronic liver disease, malabsorption syndromes, or malnutrition can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Endocrine Disease or Metabolic Causes - These could include thalassemia, diabetes, or hemochromatosis.
• Other Medical Disorders - Conditions such as Down's syndrome, mastocytosis, myeloma and some cancers, renal tubular acidosis, rheumatologic disorders, and immobilization add to the risks.