Men Get Osteoporosis, Too

While osteoporosis is usually associated with women and menopause, the fact is that men suffer from osteoporosis and related bone fractures just like women.  Indeed, men are prescribed osteoporosis medication including popular bisphosphonates like Fosamax and Boniva just like women, albeit at lower rates.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (“IOF”) the lifetime risk of experiencing an osteoporotic fracture in men over the age of 50 is 30%, similar to the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer.  That might be very surprising to men who think prostate cancer is a very real risk, while weak bones is something only women have to worry about.  Especially for men expecting to stay active later in life, they should be devoting time and energy to learning about, and living, lessons on healthy bones, such as using vitamin D, calcium, and occasionally medication.

In fact, while women may suffer from more fractures, men are more likely to die from them, again according to the IOF, which states: “[a]lthough the overall prevalence of fragility fractures is higher in women, men generally have higher rates of fracture related mortality.    As in women, the mortality rate in men after hip fracture increases with age and is highest in the year after a fracture. Over the first 6 months, the mortality rate in men approximately doubled that in similarly aged women.”

Nor are medications always the best course.  Some osteoporosis medication has been linked to an increased risk of femur fractures—a serious condition that can be life threatening.  Called bisphosphonates and traded under names like Fosamax, Reclast, and Boniva, these drugs have been linked to weakened bones, femur fractures (also called “femoral fractures” or “broken thighbone”), osteonecrosis of the jaw, and other side effects.  While the jury is still out—and you should consult and rely on your doctor’s advice in all medical decisions—some Fosamax patients have filed femur fracture lawsuits regarding Fosamax side effects.  The Fosamax fracture lawyers pursuing the cases argue that Fosamax was not properly designed and is not safe for extended, multi-year use.  Again, the cases are ongoing at the time of this writing, nothing has been proven yet, and you should rely on doctors for medical advice!  Whether side effects of long term use of Fosamax is worth the risk is a medical decision you should make in conjunction with a medical professional.