Both men and women can shrink as they get older because of lost bone density, but this can be more apparent with older women. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says normal shrinking can affect older women as their back vertebrae get flatter over time. But shrinkage can also cause older women to have bent-over backs, which can cause discomfort and more health problems. Learn what women can do to keep their bones robust to avoid shrinking later in life.