Osteoporosis in Women: What Are the Risk Factors?
Osteoporosis, referred to as the “silent disease,” is a bone condition that makes them more fragile and prone to fracture.
Although both men and women suffer from osteoporosis, the risk is considerably higher for women. Prevention, early diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis can be ensured by understanding its risk factors.
Why Are Women More at Risk?
Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis because of the interplay between hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors.
Estrogen, the hormone that assists in keeping the bones dense, drops sharply in menopause, speeding up the loss of bones.
Women also tend to have thinner and smaller bones compared to men, placing them at increased risk of fracture.
Risk Factors for Women
Menopause and Hormonal Changes
One of the main reasons why women are more likely to develop osteoporosis is the decline in estrogen levels during menopause. Estrogen is important for the strength and density of bones.
When estrogen level decreases, bones lose calcium at a faster rate, making them more fragile. Women who undergo early menopause (premenopause before age 45) or hysterectomy, particularly with ovarian removal, are at a higher risk.
Age and Bone Loss of Mass
Bone density is at its peak in an individual’s late 20s. After the age of 35, bone mass gradually decreases, but in women, this process is accelerated after menopause. The older the woman, the higher her risk of osteoporosis.
Genetic Factors
Is osteoporosis genetic? This is a question that many women wonder about, and unfortunately, genetics does have a great influence on bone health.
If a woman has a parent or grandparent who had osteoporosis or suffered from hip fractures, her risk of developing the condition is much higher.
Body Structure and Low Body Weight
Women with a small or thin body structure (BMI less than 19) have less bone mass to lose during aging and, therefore, are at higher risk of osteoporosis.
Because bones serve as a reservoir for calcium, people with smaller bones have fewer reserves to draw upon when bone loss starts.
Nutritional Deficiencies (Calcium and Vitamin D)
Inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D in the diet greatly raises the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium is needed for healthy bones, and vitamin D aids the body in absorbing calcium.
Women who do not get enough dairy foods, leafy vegetables, or fortified foods are at higher risk. Poor nutrition over a long period of time due to eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia can also increase susceptibility.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Lack of Exercise
Bones require weight-bearing exercise on a regular basis to stay strong. Women who have inactive lifestyles or fail to participate in weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, or resistance training are at risk of developing fast bone loss. Strength training and balance exercises prevent falls that might result in fractures.
Smoking and Drinking
Smoking, for example, has been established to decrease bone density and also disrupt calcium intake, elevating the risk for osteoporosis. Likewise, heavy alcohol consumption can weaken the body’s absorption and regulation capabilities of calcium as well as vitamin D.
Bone-Affecting Medical Conditions
There are medical conditions that could result in osteoporosis, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism
- Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease
- Kidney disease
- Lupus and other autoimmune diseases
- Hormonal diseases, such as adrenal or pituitary gland issues
Low Protein Consumption
Protein is needed for healthy bones. Women who take in low levels of protein are at risk for lower bone mineral density, placing them at increased risk for fracture. Yet excessive protein consumption in the absence of adequate calcium is also detrimental to bone health in that it augments calcium loss.
Preventing Osteoporosis: How Women Can Keep Their Bones Strong
Although certain risk factors are unavoidable, women can take several proactive measures they can take to preserve their bones:
- Take sufficient calcium and vitamin D: Foods that contain calcium include dairy foods, leafy greens, and fortified foods, and vitamin D is obtained through exposure to sunlight or supplements.
- Exercise: Perform weight-bearing exercises such as walking, strength training, or yoga to build bones and maintain balance.
- Don’t smoke and limit alcohol: Quitting these will delay bone loss and overall health improvement.
- Keep track of bone health: Women 65 and older or younger women with risk factors should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a chronic illness that has the potential to negatively affect the quality of a woman’s life by increasing her chances of getting fractures and being mobility-impaired. Through an awareness of risk factors, you can take steps to preserve bone density.
