Know Your Risk | Osteoporosis

Know Your Risk Quiz
Osteoporosis, known as the “silent thief,” can cause bones to deteriorate over a number of years without any signs or symptoms, until a bone breaks. Unfortunately, by the time this happens, the disease is already fairly advanced.

Complete the Know Your Risk quiz to find out what your risks might be.

Please indicate your sex*
- Female
- Male
While osteoporosis affects both men and women, lowered estrogen after menopause in women increases the risk of osteoporosis. One in three women and one in five men will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

How old are you?*
- <25
- 26-35
- 36-39
- 40-49
- 50-65
- 65+
Age is important when it comes to your risk of osteoporosis. As women approach menopause, bone loss occurs at an increased rate. Men start to have increased bone loss at 65+. Fracture risk increases with advancing age.

How much calcium do you consume each day?*
For example, one cup of milk or fortified alternative beverage contains 300 mg calcium.
- Less than 1000 mg
- More than 1000 mg
- Not sure
If the body is not getting enough calcium through diet, it begins taking calcium from bones to serve all the other functions it is needed for. This can result in a negative calcium balance, which is not good for bone health. If you are not able to get enough calcium through your diet, you may need to consider adding a calcium supplement. Consult your healthcare provider for more information.

Do you take a vitamin D supplement?*
- Yes, I take between 400 – 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily
- Yes, I take between 1000 – 2000 IU of Vitamin D daily
- Yes, I take more than 2000 IU of Vitamin D daily
- I do not take a vitamin D supplement
Vitamin D helps build stronger bones by increasing the absorption of calcium. Some individuals may need higher doses than recommended due to issues with poor absorption or other risk factors/conditions associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Consult your healthcare provider for more information.

Are you physically active with moderate to vigorous activity for at least a total of 2 1/2 hours per week?*
- Yes
- No
Exercise is an important step towards protecting your bones, as it helps protect your spine, slows the rate of bone loss, and builds muscle strength, which can prevent falls.

How many alcoholic drinks do you consume each day (including weekends) on average?
Research shows an increased risk of osteoporosis for those who regularly consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day. Increased alcohol intake also contributes to increased risk for falls and is often associated with poor nutrition.

Do you currently smoke cigarettes?*
- Yes
- No
In addition to numerous other health risks, smoking can have a negative impact on bone health.

Have you lost 2 cm (3/4”) or more in height as measured by your healthcare provider, or 6 cm (2 ½”) or more overall from when you were a young adult?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
Height loss can be a warning sign of a spine fracture. You may not be aware of a broken bone in your back because 66% are painless. So, knowing how tall you are and having your healthcare professional measure you annually is important if you are over 50 years old.

Has your mother, father, or a first-degree relative been diagnosed with osteoporosis?*
- Yes
- No
- Not Sure
Having a strong family history of osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Note: Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis are often confused since both begin with “osteo”. Osteoporosis is a bone disease and Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis (joint disease).
Have either your mother or father had a hip fracture?*
- Yes
- No
- Not Sure
Having a parent who has had a hip fracture means, you may be at higher risk of developing osteoporosis and having a fracture.

Have you broken a bone from a simple fall or bump since age 40?*
(for example, a fall from tripping over uneven ground)
- Yes
- No
People with healthy bones should not break a bone from a simple fall, even when on concrete or ice, picking up groceries or sneezing. Breaks like these are called fragility fractures and are a major risk factor for osteoporosis. Having had one fracture is the best predictor of having another fracture.

Have you ever been treated with any of the following medications?
Please select all that apply.

Long-term use of certain medications associated with bone loss and osteoporotic fractures:
- Steroids (e.g. prednisone)
- Aromatase inhibitors (drugs that reduce estrogen, for example in treatment of breast cancer)
- Androgen deprivation therapy (drugs that reduce testosterone, for example in treatment of prostate cancer)
- Some anti-convulsant medications
- Depo-Provera
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Some antidepressants
- Thiazolidinediones
- Other
Other
Long-term use of certain medications can increase bone loss and as a result increase the risk of fracture. Some medications increase the risk of falls resulting in broken bones. Osteoporosis that results from the treatment of another condition is called Secondary Osteoporosis.

At what age did you begin menopause?*
(naturally, or as a result of surgery or other causes such as medications)
- At 44 or younger
- At 45 or older
- Have not reached menopause
With menopause, the body produces much less of the sex hormone estrogen, which leads to increased rate of bone loss. Early menopause means that the protective effects of estrogen are lost sooner in life. With low estrogen due to menopause, there is rapid bone loss that can occur for several years, which may put women at increased risk for osteoporosis, especially if their baseline bone mass was suboptimal to begin with.

Have your periods ever stopped for several months or longer?*
(Other than for pregnancy or due to menopause, or due to polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Yes
- No
Disruption of menstrual cycles due to low estrogen levels for a prolonged period of time, prior to menopause, at any age may have a negative impact on bone health since estrogen is protective.

Have you had one or more falls in the last year or do you have any concerns with your balance?*
- Yes
- No
A history of previous falls is one of the best predictors of a future fall. If you have osteoporosis, you are more likely to break a bone if you fall. A previous fall increases the risk for another fall threefold.

Thank you for completing the Osteoporosis Canada Know Your Risk quiz.