Osteoporosis is not just a “woman’s disease.”  Men also are at risk of developing this significant threat to their mobility and independence.

Often referred to as the “silent disease” osteoporosis can progress with few if any symptoms until a bone is broken.  Men are less likely to develop the disease for several reasons – they have a larger skeleton, bone loss begins at a later age and progresses more slowly in men than in women and men face no period of rapid hormonal change as women do during the transition to menopause.  But, as the lifespan of men continues to rise, the incidence of osteoporosis in men is rising right along with it.  Millions of men have low bone mineral density putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis.  If a man has a hip fracture, they are more likely to die as a result.

Causes of osteoporosis in men

There are two main types of osteoporosis: primary and secondary.  Primary osteoporosis is caused either by bone loss or the cause is unknown. 

The majority of men with osteoporosis will have at least one secondary cause.  Secondary causes of osteoporosis are caused by certain lifestyle behaviors, diseases, or medications.  Here are some causes of secondary osteoporosis in men:

·         Glucocorticoid medications

·         Other immunosuppressive drugs

·         Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels)

·         Smoking

·         Excessive alcohol consumption

·         Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma

·         Cystic fibrosis

·         Gastrointestinal disease

·         Immobilization

·         Hyperparathyroidism

·         Inadequate physical exercise

How is osteoporosis diagnosed in men

A medical workup to diagnose osteoporosis will include a complete medical history, x-rays, and urine and blood tests.  A bone mineral density test should also be ordered.  This test can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures and measure response to osteoporosis treatment.  The most widely recognized bone mineral density test is called a central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or central DXA test.  It is painless and is simply a matter of lying on a table as the machine measures bone density. 

Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis for men

If osteoporosis is detected before significant bone loss has occurred it can be effectively treated.

But currently there are no official recommendations for osteoporosis screening in men.  This leaves screening decisions in the hands of men’s physicians or the man himself in asking about whether he should be screened for osteoporosis or not.  The Endocrine Society which represents physicians and scientists specializing in hormonal issues does have guidelines for men when it comes to osteoporosis:

·         All men 70 and older should have a bone density test of the hip and spine.  Any man between the ages of 50 to 69 who have additional risk factors such as low body weight, hypogonadism, long-term use of corticosteroids or a history of alcohol abuse, should be screened. 

·         Men found to be at high risk for fractures based on their bone density and clinical risk factors should be treated with medication and monitored with repeat testing every one to two years.

·         At-risk men should consume 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day – from food first then supplements if needed.

·         All men should do 30 to 40 minutes of weight-bearing exercise three or four times a week.

·         Alcohol intake should be kept at moderate consumption of no more than 2 drinks a day and men who smoke should quit.

·         Men with low blood levels of vitamin D should take a vitamin D3 supplement.  Doses of 1,000 to 2,000 IU a day are usually enough to get blood levels to 30 ng/ml or above which is considered optimal.  Some men, however, may need larger doses.