Women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the four to eight years following menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis. The loss of estrogen production by the ovaries that accompanies menopause accelerates bone loss.

Normal menopause or, particularly, early menopause (due to surgery or other causes) increases your risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition, women who stop menstruating before menopause because of conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, or because of excessive physical exercise, may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis.