Male Osteoporosis
Although women make up 80 percent of osteoporosis sufferers, there is still that other 20 percent to consider. Male osteoporosis is not common since a man’s bone density is usually higher than a woman’s and women tend to live longer. But, it can happen.
Men naturally lose bone mass as they grow older but male osteoporosis usually develops if the person smokes, does not do enough strength exercises, takes certain medications, drinks alcohol often and has low hormone levels. This is a big difference from osteoporosis in women since they usually get it after menopause.
Still, male osteoporosis can be prevented if enough calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus are ingested; strength building exercises like jogging and weight lifting are done regularly; and if alcohol and smoking consumption is eliminated or significantly reduced.
Male osteoporosis affects races differently:
- Three percent of Hispanic men over 50 have osteoporosis
- Seven percent of white and Asian men aged 50 and older have the disease
- Four percent of black men aged 50 and older have osteoporosis
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