If you think that because you are a man you cannot develop osteoporosis, you are probably mistaken. Although women are affected by the disease at a much higher rate, men can also develop it. And as our population continues to age, more and more men will be affected by osteoporosis.

Some facts and statistics

• Approximately 1 in 4 men over the age of 50 will sustain an osteoporotic fracture.
• Men over the age of 50 are more likely to develop osteoporosis than to develop prostate cancer.
• Men are at a higher risk of dying within a year after a hip fracture than women. This is due to problems related to the fracture both directly and indirectly.
• Men may sustain fractures of the spine or hip, but this usually occurs at older ages than in women.

What increases the risk of osteoporosis in men

Factors that increase a man’s risk of developing the disease include family history, the use of corticosteroids, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and low levels of testosterone as well as estrogen. In addition, certain diseases, such as chronic kidney failure, chronic lung disease, prostate cancer, as well as disorders of the gastrointestinal system (e.g. coeliac disease, colitis) and the immune system (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), may increase bone loss and create favourable conditions for the development of the disease. And these are only some of the many possible causes.

Exploring whether you may have osteoporosis

If you discover that you have risk factors for developing osteoporosis, or if you are uncertain, the best thing to do is first consult your personal physician. A bone density measurement will indicate whether you have osteoporosis and, with the help of your doctor, whether you should receive pharmacological treatment and what type. If you have sustained a fracture after what appears to be a minor accident, you should be evaluated for osteoporosis as soon as possible. If you have osteoarthritis, you should know that this condition may give falsely negative results on a bone density test, so the evaluation of the measurement should always be carried out by a specialist. If you are informed that you have osteoporosis, do not hesitate to ask whether you should undergo further tests, such as blood calcium and vitamin D levels, in order to better assess your condition and provide the most appropriate treatment.

What else you can do

To protect your bones, it is very important to ensure an adequate daily intake of calcium, vitamin D, and exercise. Running, basketball, and tennis are some of the sporting activities you can follow to strengthen your skeleton. Weight training may also be quite helpful. However, all of these should be done in the right way and at the right time. If you already have established osteoporosis, you must modify certain movements in order to protect your “vulnerable” and “fragile” bones. You should avoid activities that subject your bones to strong, wide-range twisting movements, such as tennis and golf, and of course sports involving serious physical contact and violence, such as martial arts and boxing. You may also ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (physiatrist) or to a physical therapist. They can guide you and recommend exercises that help improve bone density while at the same time not exposing your skeleton to heavy mechanical loads that carry a risk of fracture.