The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of anthropometric, hormonal, and geometric factors on the variability of radial bone mineral density (BMD) in women. In 583 healthy pre- and postmenopausal females (aged 40-60 years) radial total (BD) and trabecular BMD (TBD) was measured by peripheral quantitative computerized tomography at the nondominant distal forearm. In addition, 29 women who had suffered a Colles' fracture after minor trauma were also evaluated. There was no age-dependent change in radial BD and TBD before menopause. We found a negative correlation between BMD and age and years since menopause (YSM) in postmenopausal women (BD = 422.73 - 2.342 age - 6.308YSM; r = 0.36, p = 0.0001, n = 128). The variation of YSM, body mass index (BMI), and age accounted for 20% of the variability of BD in postmenopausal women. In contrast, in premenopausal women, only 3% of the variability could be explained by anthropometric variables. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area, but not BMD at the distal radius, were significantly correlated to grip strength (r = 0.25, p = 0.006 for BMC, r = 0.26, p = 0.003 for area). The cross-sectional bone area of the CT slice showed a significant increase with aging (y = 263.02 + 1.25x; r = 0.14, p = 0.0009). There was a strong negative correlation between bone area and BD and TBD (y = 516.04 - 0.668x; r = -0.57, p < 0.0001 for BD). If BMD is normalized for BA, variation is reduced by 32% (for BD) and 10% (for TBD), respectively. Women with Colles' fracture had a significantly lower TBD normalized for BA (fracture group [-0.71 +/- 0.88] vs. normals (0.03 +/- 0.99]; p = 0.00009). Our results show that YSM and BMI are predictors of postmenopausal BMD. However, radial BMD is influenced strongly by geometric variables such as cross-sectional bone area.