Why Osteoporosis In Men Happens

Osteoporosis in men has not been an issue until recently because majority of the population affected by this condition were mostly elderly/postmenopausal women. However, recent studies have shown that osteoporosis in men is not a rarity anymore. Comprehensive research concerning the progression of  osteoporosis in men was conducted by an endocrinologist-Sundeep Khosla. His excellent research about osteoporosis in men was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical  Endocrinol Metabolism in 2010.

While women remarkedly suffer from osteoporosis due to certain conditions such as menopause, osteoporosis in men is possible to according to this study. When it comes to bone density, men have higher rates than women, since they are more subject to carrying weight in their daily lives. However, this does not mean that men would not suffer from osteoporosis. Khosla's research reveals that hip fractures can also happen to men as they grow older. The main difference between the two is that bone density loss happens at a much later age for men. One of the major reasons for such is that men do not experience menopause. However, there are also some probable causes of osteoporosis in men as listed below.

Typical Risk Factors of Osteoporosis in Men

*Hypogonadism

*Smoking

*Alcoholism

*Physical Inactivity

*Decreased Weight

* Low calcium intake

*Chronic bronchitis

*Blindness

*Low testosterone

*SSRI use


The study made by Khosla cites hypogonadism as one of the major causes of osteoporosis. The condition hypogonadism indicates very low levels of sex hormones. Estrogen is not only important for women,it also affects men especially when levels are severely low. Although menopause for men is unheard of, becoming older can lower testosterone  levels dramatically. Plus, testosterone levels in men can be affected by certain medications as well as cancer treatments. Men are also prone to prostate cancer and many has succumbed to the disease.

According to Dr Khosla, estradiol,  a basic form of estrogen, plays a crucial role in abating the development of osteoporosis in men; a fact that men must realize. Scientific research is relentless in coming up with solutions to this situation; However, men should also pay attention to the risk factors. It is better to avoid the condition rather than deal with it.