Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for Postmenopausal Women

Am I postmenopausal?

You are postmenopausal if you have had permanent loss of your monthly periods. Permanent loss of your monthly periods is considered not menstruating for 12 months in a row without another medical reason. Menopause may occur naturally, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, or following surgical removal of both ovaries. If you are still having menstrual periods, use Premenopausal Risk Assessment.

Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a silent disease that causes bones to become thin and weak, often resulting in broken bones. It can happen to anyone; the disease has no age, gender or ethnic boundaries. Osteoporosis more commonly affects the elderly, postmenopausal women, and individuals of Caucasian or Asian decent. This does not mean that others are not at risk for oseoporosis. Men, African-Americans and other populations get osteoporosis, too; they are just at a slightly lower risk than Caucasian or Asian postmenopausal women.

Why is it important to know my risk factors?

It is important for you to identify your personal risks for osteoporosis. Knowing your risk factors is the first step in taking an active role in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Am I at risk for osteoporosis?

You may be at risk for osteoporosis if you answer "yes" to many of the risk factors that follow. The more risk factors you check, the greater your risk for osteoporosis.

Check if you...

check box are postmenopausal
check box have had an early or surgically-induced menopause at age 45 or younger
check box are age 65 or older (the older you are, the greater the risk)
check box are Caucasian or Asian
check box weigh less than 127 lbs (low weight for height)
check box have any relatives who have/had osteoporosis (broken bone of the wrist, hip, leg or spine occurring without major trauma, a height loss of more than 1-1/2 inches or stooped back)
check box have a personal history of low-impact fractures (broken bones) without trauma, such as a car accident or severe sports injury) during adulthood, x-ray evidence of spine fracture, height loss of more than 1-1/2 inches or stooped back
check box have any of the following chronic diseases/conditions often associated with osteoporosis:
  check box AIDS
  check box Chronic lung disease
  check box Diabetes, Type I
  check box Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
  check box Hyperparathyroidism (excessive parathyroid hormone
  check box Hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone)
  check box Inflammatory bowel disease
  check box Kidney disease
  check box Liver disease
  check box Lupus
  check box Malabsorption (from celiac sprue or other gastrointestinal disorders)
  check box Neurological diseases (such as stroke and multiple sclerosis)
  check box Rheumatoid arthritis
check box have a history of bed rest or immobility for more than 6 months
check box are taking or have taken any of the following medications:*
  check box Blood thinning agents when necessary for chronic use (such as long-term use of Coumadin or Heparin)
  check box Chemotherapy
  check box Dilantin (Phenytoin), and some other drugs used to treat seizure disorder or depression
  check box Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (Lupron and Zoladex) used to treat endometriosis
  check box Immunosuppressants (such as methotrexate or cyclosporin)
  check box Steroids (such as prednisone or cortisone) used for more than 3-6 months to treat asthma, arthritis or other diseases
  check box Thyroid medications, taken in high dosages, or lack of routine blood tests for TSH-level monitoring
check box have had a lifelong history of low calcium intake (few, if any, dairy products with no calcium supplements)
check box have a lifelong history of little exercise (less than 60 minutes per week)
check box have a history of long-term smoking (more than 1 pack a day for more than 5 years) or currently use tobacco products*
check box consume alcohol to excess and/or have a history of alcohol abuse
check box fall frequently (common in Parkinson's Disease, in the visually and/or hearing impaired and in alcoholics)

Although risk factors may increase your likelihood of getting osteoporosis, having risk factors does not mean that you have or will get the disease. It is important to be aware that there are rare conditions and medications that may contribute to osteoporosis as well as others that have not yet been identified. Postmenopausal women who do not have any of the above risk factors for osteoporosis may not be protected from developing this disease. Risk assessment should increase your awareness of the potential for osteoporosis and motivate you to discuss your concerns with your medical professional.

What should I talk to my medical professional about?

Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is recommended after menopause for women with risk factors and for all women aged 65 or older. To have a BMD test, a prescription from a medical professional is necessary. Speak to your medical professional to discuss your risks for osteoporosis and to find out if a BMD test is appropriate for you. See "All About Bone Mineral Density Tests" (C-12).

(c) Helen Hayes Hospital/NYS Department of Health - 11/03

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