By her mid-20's, a woman is already losing bone. Estrogen has been linked to osteoporosis since it protects bones from the leaching process. After menopause, estrogen levels in the body drop, leaving bones more susceptible to osteoporosis. Lack of exercise increases bone loss, but moderate exercise such as walking, jogging, and tennis stimulates bone production. Watch that you don't overdo it, though.
Extremes can affect menstrual patterns, reducing estrogen production.
Weight - Bones, like muscles, strengthen when they are used, so underweight women who place less demand on their bone structure are at increased risk. Small-boned women are also more vulnerable because they have less bone to start with. Family history - You are more likely to develop this condition if other women in your family have had it. Diet - Calcium is a major component of bone, and your bones act as a storehouse for this mineral nutrient. But calcium is also important to many other functions of the body, such as heartbeat and muscle contraction.