Lifestyle

Bone Loss Often Has No Symptoms Until a Bone Breaks. 4 Quiet Signs Worth Asking a Doctor About

By Curtis Jones · October 26, 2026

Bones can thin for years without pain. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases calls osteoporosis a “silent” disease because people typically have no symptoms and may not know they have it until they break a bone.

Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced, the National Institute on Aging explains. The inside of a bone looks something like a honeycomb, and with osteoporosis the spaces grow larger while the outer shell gets thinner. According to the NIA, osteoporosis affects about one in five women over age 50, but only one in 20 men. Men are still at risk. The NIA says that by age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate.

When signs do appear, they usually come from a fracture, often in the spine. These are the clues described by NIAMS, Mayo Clinic, the NIA and the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.

Losing height. Mayo Clinic lists loss of height over time as a symptom. The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation says a person may notice that they are getting shorter, and it advises anyone experiencing height loss to consult a doctor or healthcare professional immediately.

A stooped or hunched posture. When osteoporosis affects the bones of the spine, it often leads to a stooped or hunched posture, according to the foundation, and some people notice their upper back curving forward. NIAMS lists a stooped or hunched posture, called kyphosis, among the symptoms of a spine fracture.

Back pain. NIAMS also lists severe back pain as a symptom of a spine fracture. Mayo Clinic explains that the bones of the spine can weaken to the point of collapsing, sometimes even without a fall, which can bring back pain, lost height and a hunched posture.

A bone that breaks too easily. Mayo Clinic lists a bone that breaks much more easily than expected. NIAMS says fractures can result from minor falls, such as a fall from standing height that would not normally break a healthy bone. In serious cases, the NIA says, a cough or minor bump can cause a fracture. The foundation notes that breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis.

Some people are more likely to develop the disease. Mayo Clinic says women who are white or of Asian descent, especially older women past menopause, are at highest risk. NIAMS lists a family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, a slender, thin-boned frame, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D, low physical activity, chronic heavy drinking and smoking. The NIA adds long-term use of certain medicines, such as corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors and antiepileptic medications.

The NIA says the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women over 65 get tested for osteoporosis, along with younger women at greater risk. The task force does not recommend regular screening for men, but the NIA says older men who break a bone easily or are at risk should talk with their doctor about testing and treatment. The foundation advises anyone 50 or older who has broken a bone to ask about a bone density test.

Treatment aims to slow or stop bone loss and prevent breaks. The NIA says some medicines slow bone loss and others help rebuild bone. It also recommends weight-bearing exercise such as walking, enough calcium, vitamin D and protein, not smoking and limiting alcohol. Because a simple fall can break a weakened bone, it suggests strength and balance exercise and night lights and grab bars in the bathroom.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your bone health and before starting or stopping any medicine or supplement. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.