Signs Your Bones May Be Getting Weaker—and What to Do About It
Most people think of broken bones as a sudden, obvious event—an accident or fall that leads to a cast and physical therapy. But bone loss doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t always announce itself with pain. In many women, the early signs of osteoporosis or bone weakening are subtle—easy to miss or dismiss as a normal part of aging.
At Ms.Medicine, we want to change how women think about bone health. Osteoporosis affects one in two women over 50, and many don’t realize their bones are becoming fragile until they suffer a fracture from a seemingly mild incident.
Understanding the early signs of osteoporosis and knowing when to seek evaluation can help you take proactive steps to protect your bones—before injury occurs. Our Bone Health Risk Assessment is one of the first tools of its kind developed with women in mind, and it’s designed to help detect risk factors and offer personalized prevention strategies.
The Silent Nature of Bone Loss
Bone loss is a natural part of aging. Starting in your 30s, bone remodeling slows, and by the time you reach perimenopause or menopause, the drop in estrogen levels can lead to accelerated bone loss. For some women, this decline is mild. For others, it leads to osteopenia (mild bone loss) or full-blown osteoporosis.
Unfortunately, bone loss typically doesn’t cause pain until a fracture occurs—which is why it’s often called a silent disease. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t signs.
Knowing how to detect bone loss early is critical to prevention. Here are some symptoms that may suggest your bones aren’t as strong as they once were.
Subtle but Serious Bone Health Warning Signs
1. Loss of Height
If you’ve noticed that your pants seem longer, or that you’re an inch or two shorter than you used to be, it may not be your imagination. Shrinking height can be an early indicator of bone loss, particularly in the spine.
As osteoporosis progresses, the vertebrae can compress, leading to a stooped posture or a condition known as kyphosis (a forward curvature of the spine). Even a small loss in height over a few years can be a sign of vertebral fractures—many of which go undiagnosed because they don’t always cause immediate pain.
2. Fractures from Minor Injuries
Breaking a bone from a serious car accident or fall is one thing. But if you’ve suffered a fracture from something simple—like slipping on the sidewalk, bumping into furniture, or catching yourself when you trip—it could signal weakened bones.
Common fracture sites related to bone loss include:
Wrists
Hips
Spine
Ribs
Even a single low-impact fracture should prompt a bone health evaluation, especially in women over 50.
3. Receding Gums
It may seem unrelated, but your mouth can tell you a lot about your bones. Receding gums or loose teeth can be an early sign of jawbone loss—a red flag that bone density may be declining elsewhere in the body.
If you’ve noticed changes in your dental structure or have been told you have bone loss around your teeth, it's worth discussing your broader skeletal health with a physician.
4. Decreased Grip Strength
Your grip strength isn’t just a measure of hand function—it can be an indirect marker of bone and muscle health. Studies have shown that weaker grip strength is associated with lower bone density, especially in postmenopausal women.
If you’re struggling to open jars, carry groceries, or feel like your hands fatigue more easily, this could be a sign that your musculoskeletal strength is changing—and that your bones may be part of the picture.
5. Back Pain or Changes in Posture
While back pain can have many causes, persistent or unexplained pain—especially if it’s accompanied by a noticeable change in posture—may suggest vertebral compression or early fracture.
Women with undiagnosed vertebral fractures often describe chronic discomfort in the upper or lower back that develops gradually. Don’t assume it’s just stress or aging. It may be your body’s way of signaling structural changes.
Why Early Detection Is Critical
By the time symptoms are noticeable, significant bone loss may already have occurred. That’s why early evaluation matters. Identifying risk factors in your 40s and 50s gives you the best chance to slow or reverse bone loss before it leads to serious complications.
That’s where our Bone Health Risk Assessment comes in.
How the Bone Health Risk Assessment Works
At Ms.Medicine, we developed a personalized tool that goes beyond standard screening recommendations. Our Bone Health Risk Assessment evaluates a wide range of factors that influence bone strength, including:
Age, weight, and height changes
Menopause status and hormonal history
Personal and family history of fractures or osteoporosis
Nutritional and lifestyle habits
Chronic conditions or medications that affect bone metabolism
Lab work to assess vitamin D, calcium, and other markers
Fall risk and strength indicators
Based on your results, we’ll help you decide whether a bone density test (DXA scan) or further screening is appropriate. More importantly, we’ll work with you to build a prevention plan that supports long-term bone health.
What You Can Do to Strengthen and Protect Your Bones
Even if you’ve already experienced some warning signs, there are steps you can take now to protect your bone health moving forward:
1. Eat a bone-friendly diet.
Focus on calcium-rich foods (like dairy, leafy greens, and almonds) and ensure you're getting enough vitamin D to support absorption.
2. Move regularly and lift wisely.
Weight-bearing exercise, strength training, and balance-focused activities can help stimulate bone formation and reduce fall risk.
3. Talk to your provider about hormone therapy.
For some women, menopausal hormone therapy may support bone health in addition to managing symptoms like hot flashes or sleep disturbances.
4. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
Both are known to accelerate bone loss and weaken your skeletal system.
5. Don’t ignore small signs.
If something feels different—your grip strength, your posture, or your ability to recover from a minor fall—bring it up at your next appointment.
Listening to What Your Bones Are Trying to Tell You
Your bones may be silent, but they’re not invisible—and they’re certainly not invincible. Paying attention to the early signs of osteoporosis can help you avoid fractures, maintain your independence, and preserve your quality of life well into the future.
At Ms.Medicine, we’re committed to helping women understand the deeper story behind their symptoms and support their health with thoughtful, evidence-based care. Our Bone Health Risk Assessment is one of the many tools we use to personalize prevention and help you stay strong for the life you want to live.
If you’ve noticed changes in your strength, height, or recovery from injuries, it’s time to listen to your body. Schedule your Bone Health Risk Assessment today and take one powerful step toward stronger bones and a more confident tomorrow.
