Gender-Related Causes of Osteoporosis

• Being a woman. Women are much more likely to get osteoporosis.
  
  Being post-menopausal. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss. After menopause, a woman's body makes less estrogen, and bone loss can be greater.
  
  

Heredity-Related Causes of Osteoporosis

• Your family history. Your risk of getting osteoporosis is higher if others in your family suffered from the disease.
  
  Being of Asian or European decent. These racial groups are more prone to osteoporosis.
  
  

General Causes of Osteoporosis

• Getting older. The Risk for osteoporosis increases with age.
  
  Being thin. Slender people are more likely to get osteoporosis.
  
  

Things You Should Avoid to Prevent Osteoporosis

• Don't smoke. Smoking can make you more susceptible to osteoporosis.
  
  Don't drink too much alcohol. Alcohol can have an adverse effect on bone density.
  
  

Things You Can Do to Prevent Osteoporosis

• Participate in weight-bearing exercise. Weight training helps protect bones against osteoporosis.
  
  Make sure you are getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D in your diet. These vitamins help protect the body against bone loss.