being female - women have a five times greater risk than men because
they generally have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than men
because of the changes due to menopause
thin,
small-boned frame - also low body weight, or tall and slender body frame
broken bones or stooped posture in older family members - especially
women, which suggest a family history of osteoporosis - the susceptibility
to fracture can be due in part to heredity
early
estrogen deficiency in women who experience menopause before age 45
- either naturally or resulting from surgical removal of the ovaries
advanced
age - the older you are, the greater your risk since your bones become
less dense and weaker as a person ages
undiagnosed
low levels of the sex hormone testosterone - the stimulation provided
by hormones is just as important for men as it is for women
