Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of gallstones include:

• Being female
• Being age 40 or older
• Being a Native American
• Being a Hispanic of Mexican origin
• Being overweight or obese
• Being sedentary
• Being pregnant
• Eating a high-fat diet
• Eating a high-cholesterol diet
• Eating a low-fiber diet
• Having a family history of gallstones
• Having diabetes
• Having certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
• Losing weight very quickly
• Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
• Having liver disease