In addition, women who smoke usually experience menopause one to one and a half years earlier than nonsmokers. Thus, their estrogen deficiency begins sooner than women who do not smoke. Alcohol also interferes with vitamin D synthesis-a process that helps bones absorb calcium. During each pregnancy, women experience temporary surges of estrogen that helps protect them from osteoporosis. A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can lead to osteoporosis.
Bones can lose their mass during long periods of inactivity.
Exercise helps maintain bone strength and growth. For women with low bone density, exercise may stimulate bone growth. Women who are extremely thin are at higher risk for osteoporosis than heavier women because bone mass can benefit from excess fat. Fat tissues help convert other hormones to estrogen, even after menopause, and estrogen stimulates calcium absorption. Also, women who have poor muscle tone are at higher risk for osteoporosis.