If every woman goes through menopause, why doesn't every woman develop osteoporosis? The risk factors for developing this disease go well beyond age and hormonal production rates. As with heart disease and other midlife health risks, some are under your control and some are not. The trick is to be aware of all of them and focus on the ones that you can impact.

Common Risks for Bone Loss

There are some circumstances, traits, and habits that make women more likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Here are some of the genetic, environmental, and other risk factors for developing this disease:

• Body makeup. Women with thin, small frames are at greater risk of suffering excessive bone loss as they age.

• A family history of osteoporosis. If other women (or men) in your family developed this disease, your risk for developing it goes up.

• Caucasian or Asian race. African-American women have a much lower incidence of postmenopausal osteoporosis than do Northern European and Asian women. However, they still need the same screening for other risk factors.

• Taking certain medications. If you've taken steroids (such as prednisone), anticonvulsants, or lithium for more than three months, your risks for developing osteoporosis increase. If you are on thyroid replacement therapy, be sure the level is monitored, since taking too much can increase your risk for osteoporosis.

• Eating disorders. A history of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can increase your risks. Infrequent or irregular periods can be a sign that excessive dieting is resulting in low estrogen levels.

• Lifestyle choices. Excess consumption of alcohol, inadequate calcium intake, cigarette smoking, and a lack of exercise all can contribute to the development of osteoporosis over time.

What You Can Do Right Now

As you can see, some risk factors are controllable and others aren't. But you have many options available to you for preventing or slowing the progress of osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends these four steps for preventing or managing the disease:

• Eat a healthy diet that includes ample supplies of calcium and vitamin D.

• Incorporate weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or weightlifting, in your regular exercise plan (and that means doing these exercises three or more times a week).

• Stop smoking and don't overindulge in alcohol.

• If you're at high risk for osteoporosis, get a bone-density test. Your care provider can tell you when and how often it should be repeated.