Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention

Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention

“It’s important to have regular bone health checks.
Your doctor might ask about your medical history, check
risk factors for osteoporosis and do a bone density test”.1

Umbrella

What may the Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Osteoporosis Prevention
  • Osteoporosis Risk
  • Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Women

Is there an association between women and the risk of developing osteoporosis?

In What Women Need To Know the (United States) Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) note:

“Being female puts you at risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. Here are some facts:

  • Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about eight million or 80% are women
  • Approximately one in two women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis
  • A woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer”.2

Risk Factors

What factors may increase our risk for osteoporosis?

In Osteoporosis: Causes of Osteoporosis the (United States) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) elaborate on:

“Factors that may increase your risk for osteoporosis include:

  • Sex…
  • Age…
  • Body size…
  • Race…
  • Family history…
  • Changes to hormones…
  • Diet…
  • Other medical conditions…
  • Medications…
  • Lifestyle…”.3

In Are You At Risk? the BHOF explain:

“Uncontrollable Risk Factors

  • Being over age 50
  • Being female
  • Menopause
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Low body weight/being small and thin
  • Broken bones or height loss

Controllable Risk Factors

  • Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D
  • Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
  • Getting too much protein, sodium and caffeine
  • Having an inactive lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Losing weight”.4

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and our risk of developing osteoporosis?

In What Women Need To Know: Menopause: A Time for Action the BHOF elaborate on:

“When a woman reaches menopause, her estrogen levels drop and can lead to bone loss. For some women, this bone loss is rapid and severe.

Two major factors that affect your chance of getting osteoporosis are:

  • The amount of bone you have when you reach menopause…
  • How fast you lose bone after you reach menopause. For some women, bone loss happens faster than for others. In fact, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density during the five – seven years following menopause. If you lose bone quickly, you have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis”.5

Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention

Bone Health

What is the best way to take care of your bones after menopause?

In Healthy Bones: Bone Health After Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“The best way to take care of your bones after menopause is to:

  • Have a healthy lifestyle
  • Have the recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D
  • Do regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise
  • Have regular bone health checks”.6

Exercise for Bone Health

What are some exercises for bone health?

In Exercise for Your Bone Health: Which Exercises Are Best for Keeping Bones Healthy? the NIAMS note:

“If you have low bone density (a condition sometimes called osteopenia), osteoporosis, or other physical limitations, talk to a health care provider before starting an exercise program. They can help you choose types of physical activity that are safe for you and good for your bone health.

A combination of these types of exercise is best for building and maintaining healthy bones and preventing falls and fractures:

  • Weight-bearing exercises…
  • Resistance training exercises (weight lifting)…
  • Balance training…”.7

Hormone Therapy and Osteoporosis

Is HT effective for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) note:

“Hormone therapy keeps your bones strong by preserving bone density and decreasing your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. If preserving bone density is your only concern, and you do not have bothersome hot flashes, other treatments may be recommended instead of HT”.8

On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “In addition, HRT has been shown to have an effective role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates are considered as first-line options for most patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis due to their broad spectrum of anti-fracture efficacy. HRT may be considered as an additional alternative option, particularly in younger postmenopausal women with menopausal symptoms who are at increased risk of fractures”.9

Hormone Therapy, POI and Early Menopause

Is HT effective for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause?

On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “HRT is considered as first-line intervention for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause (40–45 years old)”.10

On page one in The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement, published 07 July 2022, the NAMS note:

  • “Women with primary ovarian insufficiency and premature or early menopause have higher risks of bone loss, heart disease, and cognitive or affective disorders associated with estrogen deficiency. It is recommended that hormone therapy can be used until at least the mean age of menopause unless there is a contraindication to its use”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I think I am at risk for osteoporosis?

The JH explain:

“It’s important to have regular bone health checks. Your doctor might ask about your medical history, check risk factors for osteoporosis and do a bone density test”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 8 Tips for Healthy Bones
  2. A Guide To Calcium-Rich Foods
  3. About Osteoporosis
  4. Are You At Risk? [+ Video: Risk Factors]
  5. BMS TV: Osteoporosis
  6. Bone Density Scan (DEXA Scan)
  7. Bone Density Scan [Image]
  8. Bone Density Test
  9. Bone Health
  10. Bone Health Checklist
  11. Bone Health In Menopause
  12. Bone Health and Osteoporosis
  13. Bone Health, Hormones and the Real Risk of Osteoporosis
  14. Bone Health: Tips To Keep Your Bones Healthy
  15. Bone Mineral Density Tests: What the Numbers Mean
  16. Bonehealthandosteoporosis.org [Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
  17. Bonetalk.org [Bone Talk, United States]
    Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention
  18. Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
    Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention
  19. Calcium
  20. Calcium Content of Common Foods
  21. Calcium and Vitamin D
  22. Calcium and Vitamin D: Important for Bone Health
  23. Calcium: Shopping List
  24. Communication With Your Doctor and Healthcare Team: Be Prepared for Your Visit
  25. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  26. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  27. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Nutrition At Menopause and Why It Is Important
  28. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  29. Evaluation of Bone Health/Bone Density Testing
  30. Exercise
  31. Exercise for Bones
  32. Exercising With Osteoporosis: Stay Active the Safe Way
  33. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  34. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  35. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  36. Get A Bone Density Test
  37. Get the Facts on Calcium and Vitamin D
  38. HRT Questions Answered
  39. Healthy Bones
  40. Hormones & Osteoporosis: The Hidden Risk for Women In Menopause | Dr Louise Newson
  41. How To Prevent Osteoporosis After Menopause
  42. ‘If You Don’t Exercise, You Break’: Physical Activity Key In Osteoporosis Intervention
  43. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  44. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  45. Knowyourbones.org
  46. May Is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month!
    Osteoporosis
  47. Medicines for Prevention and Treatment
  48. Menopause and Musculoskeletal Health
  49. Modifiable Risks
  50. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [United States]
  51. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [United States]: Understanding Bone Health
  52. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Hormone Therapy
  53. Nutrients: Bone Healthy Ingredients
  54. Nutrition for Bones
  55. Nutrition: Food and Your Bones – Osteoporosis Nutrition Guidelines
  56. Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
  57. Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
  58. Osteopedia [Glossary of Terms]
  59. Osteopenia
  60. Osteoporosis
  61. Osteoporosis
  62. Osteoporosis
  63. Osteoporosis & Oestrogen
  64. Osteoporosis Exercise for Strong Bones
  65. Osteoporosis, the Silent Disease, Can Shorten Your Life − Here’s How To Prevent Fractures and Keep Bones Healthy
  66. Osteoporosis. Risk. Check.
  67. Osteoporosis To Prevent Fractures: Screening [Final Recommendation Statement United States Preventive Services Task Force
  68. Osteoporosis Treatment: A-Z of Osteoporosis Treatments
  69. Osteoporosis Treatment: Medications Can Help
  70. Osteoporosis – Multiply Languages
  71. Osteoporosis, the Silent Disease, Can Shorten Your Life − Here’s How To Prevent Fractures and Keep Bones Healthy
  72. Osteoporosis: Bone Health Following the Menopause
  73. Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
  74. Plant-Based Diets and Risk of Hip Fracture In Postmenopausal Women
  75. Prevent Broken Bones
  76. Preventing Fractures
  77. Preventing Osteoporosis: Questions for the Doctor
  78. Prevention
  79. Prevention and Healthy Living
  80. Prevention: What Can You Do To Protect Your Bones?
  81. Risk Factors
  82. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  83. Osteoporosis The Best Exercises for Your Bones
  84. Top Nutrients for Women: Calcium
  85. Treatment
  86. Treatment
  87. Treatment for Osteoporosis
  88. Updates on Exercise and Lifestyle Tips for Bone Strength With Joanne Fagerstrom, PT CFP
  89. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Bone Health and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  90. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  91. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Preventing Bone Loss At Menopause
  92. Vitamin D
  93. Webinars: Approach To Bone Health In the Perimenopause and Postmenopause?
  94. Webinars: Changing the Paradigm for Earlier Osteoporosis Prevention
  95. Webinars: Lifestyle Medicine
  96. What Is A Bone Density Test (DXA Scan)
  97. What Is Osteoporosis?
  98. What Women Need To Know [+ Video: Losing Bone Mass]
  99. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
    Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention
  100. World Osteoporosis Day [20 October]
    Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Perimenopause and Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: What Changes After Menopause? – Bone Health After Menopause. Last Updated: 03 February 2026 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 02 February 2026
  2. What Women Need To Know. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.nof.org/preventing-fractures/general-facts/what-women-need-to-know/ Accessed: 02 February 2026
  3. Osteoporosis: Causes of Osteoporosis. Last Reviewed: December 2022. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis/basics/symptoms-causes Accessed: 02 February 2026
  4. Are You At Risk? National Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.nof.org/prevention/general-facts/bone-basics/are-you-at-risk/ Accessed: 02 February 2026
  5. What Women Need To Know: Menopause: A Time for Action. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/preventing-fractures/general-facts/what-women-need-to-know/ Accessed: 02 February 2026
  6. Healthy Bones: Bone Health After Menopause. Last Updated: 23 July 2025 | Last Reviewed: 11 October 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bone-health/healthy-bones Accessed: 02 February 2026
  7. Exercise for Your Bone Health: Which Exercises Are Best for Keeping Bones Healthy? Last Reviewed: May 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/exercise-your-bone-health Accessed: 02 February 2026
  8. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2025:1 Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 02 February 2026
  9. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:2 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 02 February 2026
  10. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:2 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 02 February 2026
  11. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 07 July 2022:1 North American Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/press-release/ht-position-statement-release.pdf Accessed: 02 February 2026
  12. What Is Perimenopause and Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Bone Health After Menopause. Last Updated: 03 February 2026 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 03 February 2026
Topic Last Updated: 02 February 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 02 February 2026

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