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Bone health risk check

Answer a dozen quick questions about the factors doctors and bone health organizations look at. Your answers stay on your device, and you'll get plain next steps.

Sex at birth Bone loss patterns differ, especially around menopause.

Age

Which of these apply to you? Choose all that apply, or none.

Height and weight Optional. Used only to work out body mass index.

Do you currently smoke?

Alcoholic drinks on a typical day

Weight-bearing activity (walking, dancing, strength work)

Calcium-rich foods (dairy, fortified drinks, tofu, canned fish with bones)

Vitamin D (regular sun, fortified foods or a supplement)

Email me my result and checklist

We'll send your result with questions to ask your doctor. Optional.

Important: This check is general education, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you've recently broken a bone, have sudden severe back pain or have lost height, see a doctor.

Why risk factors matter

Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease, because bone thins without pain until something breaks. The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that about one in three women and one in five men over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. Knowing your risk factors early gives you time to test, build bone and prevent that first fracture.

What the check asks, and why

The questions follow the risk factors that appear across major guidelines and in standard fracture-risk tools:

  • Age and sex. Bone loss speeds up after menopause, and risk rises steadily with age in everyone.
  • A previous low-impact fracture. A broken bone from a fall from standing height after 50 is one of the strongest signs of fragile bones.
  • Family history. A parent's hip fracture points to inherited bone strength and structure.
  • Medicines and conditions. Long-term steroid tablets, rheumatoid arthritis and several other conditions speed up bone loss.
  • Height loss. Losing several centimeters can mean small fractures in the spine that went unnoticed.
  • Body weight, smoking and alcohol. Low body weight, smoking and drinking three or more units a day are all linked to weaker bones.
  • Activity, calcium and vitamin D. These lifestyle factors don't count for much on their own, but they're the ones you can change today.

What to do with your result

Whatever your result, the same foundations help: regular weight-bearing and strength exercise, enough calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, moderate alcohol and fall-proofing your home. If your result shows some or several risk factors, ask your doctor whether a bone density (DXA) scan and a FRAX assessment are right for you.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Based on my risk factors, should I have a bone density scan, and when?
  • What's my 10-year fracture risk using FRAX?
  • Are any of my medicines affecting my bones or my balance?
  • Should my vitamin D level be checked?
  • What exercise is safe and useful for me?

Watch and learn

Short explainers from trusted creators. Videos load only when you press play. All videos

Mayo Clinic Minute: Osteoporosis is soft bonesMayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Minute: What's a bone density test?Mayo Clinic
Medications - Osteoporosis Guidelines (For Patients)UHN Patient Education

Questions people ask

Is this an osteoporosis test?

No. Only a bone density scan (DXA) and a clinical assessment can diagnose osteoporosis. This check counts recognized risk factors to help you decide whether to talk to a doctor about testing.

How is this different from FRAX?

FRAX is a validated calculator that estimates your 10-year probability of a major fracture, using country-specific data and, optionally, a bone density result. This check is simpler: it lists the factors in your answers and suggests next steps. We link to FRAX in your result.

Who should get a bone density scan?

In the United States, the Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for all women 65 and older, and for younger postmenopausal women at increased risk. Many organizations suggest men talk about testing from about age 70, or earlier with risk factors. Your doctor can advise you.

Do you store my answers?

No. The check runs in your browser and nothing is sent unless you choose to email yourself a copy using the optional form.

My result says few risk factors. Can I still get osteoporosis?

Yes. Some people with few listed risk factors still lose bone. If you break a bone easily, lose height or have back pain that comes on suddenly, see a doctor whatever this check says.

Sources

We link to official and primary sources so you can check our work. Rules change; confirm anything important with the source.

  1. Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force (2025)
  2. Osteoporosis: Overview — NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (NIAMS)
  3. Risk factors — International Osteoporosis Foundation
  4. FRAX fracture risk assessment tool — Fracture Risk Assessment
  5. Osteoporosis: Symptoms and causes — Mayo Clinic

Keep going

Tools

Guides

Get the right bone and joint care, sooner

Answer four quick questions and we'll help you reach a bone density service, orthopedic specialist, rheumatologist or physiotherapist that fits your concern, location and coverage.

  • About a minute, on any device
  • Free, with no obligation
  • You choose who contacts you, and how

Start here: what would you like help with?

Try “femur”, “osteoporosis” or “calcium”.