[Osteoporosis in males is a frequently overlooked risk]

For many years, osteoporosis has been considered as a women's disease. Data show that the incidence of this bone thinning disease is high in men. Aging is accompanied with changes in circulating hormone levels. Thus, low testosterone levels is associated with osteoporosis in men. Like osteoporosis in females, in men, might be treated with calcium supplements, vitamin D and bisphosphonates. Recent report of treatment for osteoporotic men with bisphosphonate alendronate was successful in improving bone density at several sites in the male skeleton, in reducing the incidence of fractures and in preventing loss of height. The benefits and risks of hormone androgen replacement therapy in men are not fully defined, but the androgens supplementation is also expected to have favorable consequences on bone.