Although elderly women are more likely to get osteoporosis, osteoporosis can occur in almost any person at any age, including men.
Unfortunately, osteoporosis in men is often not recognized.
There are many reasons for this and just as many risks to men’s health.
Some facts:
- Up to one in four men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
- Men older than 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer.
- Each year, about 80,000 men will break a hip.
- Men are more likely than women to die within a year after breaking a hip due to problems related to the break.
Why Are Men at Risk?
Many of the factors that put women at risk for osteoporosis apply to men as well:
- Family history
- Taking steroid medicines
- Not exercising
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Having low testosterone levels
As well, older men are less likely to receive appropriate osteoporosis screening. In a study published in November 2014 in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, men were 66% less likely to receive the same treatment as women with similar bone loss symptoms.
The study concludes that as the population ages, we’re going to see more fragility fractures, and because “these [fractures] are a significant source of morbidity it behooves physicians to evaluate men, as well as women.”
Point being, the medical community is not as attuned to men’s bone health as compared to women, so if you are a man, for strong bones start taking your calcium now.
Get a complete list of facts about men and osteoporosis to see if you are at risk.
