Symptoms of osteoporosis in men

Osteoporosis in men: Silent Crisis and Prevention Strategies
Osteoporosis, an often-overlooked health concern, not only affects women but also quietly threatens the health of men. Epidemiological studies show that one in five men will experience at least one spinal, hip, or wrist fracture in their lifetime. For men over 65, the fracture rate rises to 12.5%, meaning one in eight men have suffered a spinal compression fracture. Even more worryingly, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that men who suffer a hip fracture have twice the risk of a subsequent fracture compared to women, and the one-year mortality rate (22%) is also higher than that of women (15%). Furthermore, up to XNUMX% of patients require a lifelong walker after surgery.

Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis in Men
Osteoporosis is closely related to the aging process. As we age, our bodyDecreased calcium absorption, decreased vitamin D activation, and imbalanced bone metabolism (increased osteoclast activity, insufficient osteoblast repair) all contribute to bone loss. While both men and women are affected by aging, the symptoms of osteoporosis vary due to differences in genetics and bone structure.

As male bones age, their outer diameter (cortical bone) thickens.bone densityThe relative risk of fractures in men is still lower than that in women. However, the outer diameter of women's bones becomes thinner with age, making them more susceptible to fractures and thus receiving more attention.

Besides aging, hormone deficiency is also a major cause of osteoporosis. While menopausal hormonal changes are more pronounced in women, they are easier to detect and treat early. However, the decline in male hormones (testosterone) is more gradual and often overlooked. International studies have shown that low testosterone is the primary contributing factor to male osteoporosis, followed by unhealthy lifestyle habits such as alcoholism, long-term steroid use, and smoking.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis typically has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, unless symptoms such as a noticeable hunchback or decreased height occur, or are discovered only through a doctor's examination. Spinal compression fractures can cause back pain, hunchback, and height loss. In severe cases, they can even affect respiratory and digestive functions, and even be life-threatening. It is recommended that individuals aged 50 and above at high fracture risk, and men aged 70 and above, undergo regular bone density tests (such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)) to facilitate early detection and treatment.

Some men develop osteoporosis prematurely due to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, excessive coffee consumption, or excessive dieting in pursuit of a good figure.

Self-diagnosis for men
Dr. John E. Morley of Saint Louis University in the United States designed a self-assessment scale for hypotestosterone that can quickly assess whether testosterone is insufficient:

Decreased libido and sex drive?
Lack of energy?
Decreased strength or endurance?
Getting shorter?
Enjoying less joy in life?
Sad, depressed, or grumpy?
Decreased erection hardness?
Is your physical strength for exercise noticeably reduced?
Feeling sleepy after dinner?
Declining work performance?

Answer: If you answered “yes” to question 1 or 7, and/or “yes” to the other three questions, it is recommended that you seek further examination from a doctor.

The association between medication and osteoporosis
In addition to aging and lifestyle, certain medications may also increase the risk of osteoporosis. Examples include long-term use of steroids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), insulin sensitizers (TZDs), anti-epileptic drugs, anticoagulants, SSRIs, hormone suppressants, thyroid hormones, and immunosuppressants (for organ transplant patients). Those taking these medications long-term should undergo regular bone density checks.

In short, male osteoporosis is a health problem that cannot be ignored. Early prevention and regular check-ups can effectively reduce the risk of fractures and maintain a healthy life.