Q18. How likely am I to develop osteoporosis?

A18. Osteoporosis or ‘brittle bone disease’ is a risk factor during the menopause. This is due to the drop in oestrogen which means that your protection against this disease is lost.

Bone mass is lost from the late twenties onwards which increases the risk of a fracture. This risk is greater in women due to their lighter skeleton and the fall in oestrogen levels during the menopause.

If your mother or grandmother suffered from osteoporosis then there is an increased risk of you doing the same. But this risk can be reduced by regular exercise (preferably weight bearing) and a calcium rich diet.

Other risk factors include:

• Being under/overweight weight
• Having a slim build
• History of eating disorders, e.g. anorexia
• Smoking
• Drinking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Premature menopause caused by surgery e.g. hysterectomy
• Family history

If you are at risk then discuss this with your GP.

Find out more in our health risks of menopause section.

FAQ:

Menopause FAQs

1. What is the menopause?
2. What age do you start the menopause?
3. What is a ‘premature menopause?’
4. What is the ‘perimenopause?’
5. What is the ‘premenopause?’
6. What are symptoms of the menopause?
7. Can you become pregnant whilst going through the menopause?
8. Why do you put on weight during the menopause?
9. What are hot flushes?
10. My mother started the menopause at the age of 46, will I do the same?

11. What are mood swings?
12. Why do women lose interest in sex during the menopause?
13. Can you still be sexually active after the menopause?
14. Why do women fear the menopause?
15. What is HRT?
16. Why is there so much controversy around HRT?
17. What treatment is available for the menopause?
18. How likely am I to develop osteoporosis?
19. How long does the menopause last?
20. What is the ‘postmenopause?’