Risk Factors

The leading cause of osteoporosis is a drop in estrogen in women over 50 at the onset of menopause, and a drop in testosterone in men over 70. Other risk factors include:^{(1, 2, 24)}

• Small, thin body (under 127 pounds/58 kilograms)
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Inactive lifestyle
• Post menopause or advanced age
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Low testosterone levels in men
• A diet low in dairy products, other sources of calcium and vitamin D
• Cigarette smoking and drinking too much alcohol
• Caucasian or Asian race, but African American and Hispanic women are also at significant risk for developing the disease
• Certain medications such as steroid medications and some anticonvulsants, and others
• Certain diseases and conditions such as anorexia nervosa, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastrointestinal diseases