Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is because women are generally smaller, have thinner bones and experience menopause.

Menopause, especially before the age of 45, is a trigger for bone loss. This is due to the dramatic decline in oestrogen production. Oestrogen is a hormone, produced by the ovaries, that has a protective effect on the bones. When oestrogen levels decrease, the bones lose calcium and other minerals at a much faster rate than they did before. Women that are experiencing menopause can lose bone mass at a rate 2-4 times faster than before menopause.