There are symptoms of potential osteoporosis that women can look out for and should be alert to

These include:

-A previous broken bone after a minor bump or fall.

-A family history, especially a mother who has had a broken hip before the age of 35.

-Menstrual periods missed for a period of more than a year.

-Early menopause or hysterectomy before the age of 45.

-Taking long term steroids such as Prednisolone, for more than six months. Women have steroid induced osteoporosis can be twice as likely to suffer from bone fractures.

-Medical conditions, such as faulty absorption of minerals.

-Women who have been on long periods of cortisone-like-steroids.

-Fractures induced by osteoporosis are more likely to occur in the wrist, hips and spine.

Women are four times as likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis. Up to one in three women can be affected, however, there are steps that you can take to reduce the risk of suffering from this debilitating condition.

Professor Cyrus Cooper from the Osteoporosis unit at Southampton General Hospital outlines a ten-point plan to avoid the onset of osteoporosis:

1 Get more exercise. For young women jumping can be good for the hip, although it is not advisable if you have suffered a compression fracture. Skipping and jogging for around 20 minutes, three times a week. These high impact exercises strengthen the bones.

2 If at all possible leave the car at home and try walking to work maybe once or twice a week.

3 Younger women can try light weight training with a pair of dumbbells. Follow a structured programme to strengthen the bones.

4 Eat more calcium rich foods. Women between 20 and 45 years need around 1,000mg of calcium per day. Foods such as milk, yoghurt, cheese, salmon and spinach are high in calcium.

5 Allow the skin to be exposed to the good effects of the sun. Sunlight helps cells in the skin to produce vitamin D, essential for bones to make good use of calcium.

6 Reduce alcohol intake.

7 If you are a smoker reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a day.

8 Avoid regular dieting. Ballet dancers and athletes often follow low-calorie diets but they could increase the chances of the onset of osteoporosis.

9 Go for a bone scan. Those who have a specific risk can usually get a scan on the NHS. (Private scans can cost between £40 to £200 and should be interpreted by a specialist.)

10 Ensure that the body receives adequate vitamin D and protein.

For more information you can contact the National Osteoporosis Society on 01761 472721 or log on to their website at www.nos.org.uk