Be aware of your fracture risk factors Many common medical and lifestyle factors can increase postmenopausal women's risk of hip or spinal fracture. Some of those factors are listed below. These are general guidelines only. Any fracture risk assessment should be done in collaboration with your doctor.

If any of the factors apply to you, you may be at higher risk of breaking your hip or other bones. Not all factors have equal weight, however. Some increase your risk more than others, such as having had a previous fracture.

Discuss your risk factors and concerns with your doctor, who can recommend treatments or lifestyle changes to help you protect your bones. You also may want to use the fracture risk calculator to assess your overall fracture risk.

Fracture risk factors

Older age
For every 10 years of age, your risk of hip fracture doubles.

Body weight and shape
A body mass index (BMI) below 25 increases your hip fracture risk.

History of fracture
If you've had a fracture before, your risk of hip fracture goes up 1.5-2 times. If your parent had a hip fracture, your own risk of hip fracture doubles.

Medications
Certain prescription drugs can increase your hip fracture risk, including oral corticosteroids and heartburn medications.

Medical conditions
Having rheumatoid arthritis doubles your hip fracture risk. Type 2 diabetes increases your risk 1.5-2 times, while having had a stroke can increase your risk 2-4 times. Having vision problems or overall poor or fair health also puts you at higher risk.

Lifestyle habits
Smoking cigarettes, having more than two alcoholic drinks per day, or being sedentary/physically inactive raises your risk of hip fracture 1.5-2 times.