Osteoporosis is a normal part of ageing. In reality we would all develop osteoporosis if we lived long enough.

Women in particular are at an increased risk of osteoporosis compared to men due to the effects of menopause and subsequent oestrogen deficiency. Women can expect to lose around 1% of their bone mineral density each year in the years beyond their menopause and hence over time are likely to develop osteoporosis into old age.

For some women, certain conditions may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis at an earlier age.

Athletes
Breast Cancer
Early (Premature) Menopause
Eating Disorders
Elderly Women
Postmenopausal Women
Prednisolone Therapy (Corticosteroid Therapy)
Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease) / Hypopituitarism
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Thyroxine (Oroxine) Treatment / Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid) 

Content updated February 20, 2006