Common risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures in women include:
- A fracture (a broken bone) which resulted from a minor fall or bump
- A family history of osteoporosis and fractures (e.g. a parent who suffered a hip fracture)
- Crohns disease or celiac disease
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Early menopause (i.e. before age 45 years)
- Excessive alcohol intake (i.e. more than two 120 ml glasses of wine per day)
- Smoking
- Being underweight
The National Osteoporosis Foundation in the United States provides a useful overview of risk factors.
Common risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures in men include:
- A fracture (a broken bone) which resulted from a minor fall or bump
- A family history of osteoporosis and fractures (e.g. a parent who suffered a hip fracture)
- Crohns disease or celiac disease
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Low sex hormone levels (i.e. testosterone)
- Excessive alcohol intake (i.e. more than two 120 ml glasses of wine per day)
- Smoking
- Being underweight
The National Osteoporosis Foundation in the United States provides a useful overview of risk factors.
Long-term use of corticosteroid drugs (e.g. prednisone) has been associated with loss of bone density. Accordingly, if you are taking these medicines your doctor is likely to discuss bone health with you and may offer treatments to prevent bone loss.
The following classes of medicines may also lead to bone loss. If you are taking one of these medicines ask your doctor whether you need an osteoporosis assessment.
- Androgen Deprivation Therapy (for treatment of prostate cancer in men)
- Aromatase inhibitors (for breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women)
