Height loss is related to aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints. People typically lose almost one-half inch (about 1 centimeter) every 10 years after age 40. ... You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) in height as you age.

Why is my height decreasing?

“Actually, contrary to what many people think, it's not your bones that cause you to get shorter,” said Scott Albright, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “Typically, the discs between the vertebra of the spine lose fluid as we age. The discs get smaller, your spine shrinks, and that's what causes the loss of height.”

Do we become shorter with age?

As your bones settle in together, you lose a few millimeters at a time. It is normal to shrink by about one inch as you age. If you shrink more than an inch, a more serious health condition may be to blame.