Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis include:

• Being female
• Advanced age
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Being past menopause
• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods
• Anorexia or bulimia
• A diet low in calcium
• Long-term use of medications such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol

Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are now several medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that may prevent or treat osteoporosis. For women who have already experienced spinal fractures, however, there have been few effective treatments available until recently. Now, a safe, non-surgical, interventional radiology treatment called vertebroplasty offers new hope for women who suffer the pain of vertebral fractures.