Knowing the risk factors and symptoms of osteoporosis can help women take measures to increase bone density before the effects become devastating. Bone loss also occurs much more slowly in men than women. Around age 35, this process balances out. Since estrogen helps maintain body density, a decrease in the hormone will result in some bone loss. Women whose family members have had osteoporosis are at increased risk for the disease.
Body type is often similar among mothers or sisters.
Women with fair skin, freckles, or red or blond hair are also at higher risk. 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.