Risk for osteoporosis in women

Risk Factors For Women Today, over 10 million individuals have or are at risk of osteoporosis— 80% are women. If you’re over 50, you have a 50% chance of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis. All women should know about bone loss and osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis occurs mostly in women after menopause. In fact, one-third of a woman’s lifetime bone loss can occur in the first 5 years following menopause. This rapid bone loss can cause bones to become thin, weak, and more likely to fracture.

There are many factors that determine who will develop osteoporosis. The first step in prevention is to determine whether you are at risk.

Although you may look and feel fine, you could be at risk for osteoporosis and not know it. Check off the risk factors that apply to you and print this sheet. Then talk to your doctor about osteoporosis, and ask whether a bone mineral density (BMD) test may be right for you.

Print this page if you check any of the boxes and discuss the results with your doctor.

Are you past menopause?

Menopause is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoporosis. Even if none of the other factors detailed here apply to you, you may still have or may develop osteoporosis if you’re a woman past menopause. Normal or early menopause (brought about naturally or because of surgery, such as a hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries) increases your risk of developing osteoporosis. Menopause happens when the ovaries stop producing the female hormone estrogen or when the ovaries are removed. After menopause, bone is broken down faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. Therefore, maintaining bone mass is important to keep your bones healthy. In addition, women who stop menstruating for a prolonged period before menopause because of conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, or because of excessive physical exercise, may also lose bone mass and develop osteoporosis.

Are you of Caucasian or Asian descent?

Although osteoporosis can affect women of all ethnic backgrounds, Caucasian and Asian women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

Do you have low bone mass as confirmed by a BMD test?

BMD test results, known as T-scores (which measure bone strength), compare your bone density with that of healthy young adult women. Normal bones are healthy and strong. Bones weakened by osteoporosis have become thin, making them more likely to break.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends treatment for women with the following T-scores:

Below −2.0 in the absence of risk factors
Below −1.5 with 1 or more risk factors

Do you have a family history of osteoporosis or broken bones from minimal trauma?

In part, susceptibility to fracture may be hereditary. If a parent or grandparent was diagnosed with osteoporosis, you might also be at increased risk—eg, people whose parents have a history of vertebral fractures seem to have reduced bone mass. A personal history of a fracture with minimal trauma as an adult also increases your risk of fracture.

Do you have a thin or petite build?

Small-boned and thin women (under 127 lb) are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than other women.

Do you use certain medications, such as corticosteroids (eg, for asthma or arthritis) or thyroid hormone?

A significant, and often overlooked risk factor in the development of osteoporosis, is the use of certain medications to treat chronic medical conditions.

Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, an underactive thyroid, seizure disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders may have side effects that can increase bone loss and lead to osteoporosis.

Some of these medications are:

Corticosteroids: These drugs can cause bone to be removed faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. Therefore, maintaining bone mass is important to keep your bones healthy. Medicines such as cortisone or prednisone are used to treat a variety of conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune diseases, or asthma, and following transplantations.
Thyroid hormones (excessive)
Seizure medicine (anticonvulsants)
Antacids containing aluminum
Heparin used to prevent blood clots
Cholestyramine taken to control blood cholesterol levels
Gonadotropin-releasing hormones used for treatment of endometriosis

For many people, these are lifesaving or life-enhancing drugs. That’s why it is important to discuss the use of these medications with your doctor and not stop or alter your medication dose on your own.

Do you smoke?

Smoking may interfere with estrogen levels and thus can also weaken your bones.

Do you drink several caffeinated or alcoholic beverages per day?

Alcohol reduces bone formation and is associated with increased risk of fracture. Caffeine also reduces bone formation.

Do you consume too little calcium or vitamin D?

Throughout your life, calcium and vitamin D play a key role in maintaining your bone health. Although calcium, vitamin D, and exercise are important, they can’t totally protect or rebuild your bones after menopause.

However, if you are taking medicine for osteoporosis, it is important that you take supplemental calcium and vitamin D, especially if your dietary intake is inadequate.

Do you exercise infrequently?

Inactivity makes your bones lose strength and become thinner. Over time, thin bones may break. Women who aren’t active are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Remember: Menopause is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoporosis. Even if none of these risk factors apply to you, you may still have or develop osteoporosis if you’re a woman past menopause. Ask your doctor whether a BMD test may be right for you.

Print this page if you check any of the boxes and discuss the results with your doctor.

Learn the risk factors for men.

Learn more about detecting osteoporosis.

Selected Cautionary Information About FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D
You should not use FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D if you have certain disorders of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth with the stomach), are not able to stand or sit upright for 30 minutes, have severe kidney disease, low blood calcium, or are allergic to FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D. Before use, talk to your doctor if you have or have had stomach or digestive problems or problems with swallowing. You should tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In addition, for FOSAMAX PLUS D, you should talk to your doctor if you have conditions that may cause an overproduction of vitamin D (eg, sarcoidosis, leukemia, lymphoma).

Stop taking FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D and call your doctor right away if you develop new or worsening heartburn, difficult or painful swallowing, or chest pain because these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems, which can include irritation, inflammation, or ulceration of the esophagus. (See the Patient Product Information for more details.) If you develop severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain at any time, contact your doctor. Digestive side effects in studies were generally mild and included stomach pain, indigestion/heartburn, or nausea.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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