Osteoporosis in men

Osteoporosis is often thought to be a condition that only affects women. But this isn't the case. Osteoporosis and broken bones (fractures) affect men too. 

This web page provides information about osteoporosis in men. It also includes links where you can find support. 

How common is osteoporosis in men? 

Men, of all ages, can have osteoporosis. It's more common in older people. 

1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.  

In this film, Dr Stephen Tuck explains how osteoporosis and broken bones affect men. We also hear a personal story from Nic Vine to help raise awareness of the impact on men. 

Osteoporosis and men: a message to my younger self 

In this blog, Gareth, Geoffrey and Joe tell us about their experiences of osteoporosis. And the advice they would offer their younger selves if they could.

I think it's particularly important for men to be aware of their risk as I feel like there's a big stigma with men having the condition. Gareth, 72

How is osteoporosis diagnosed in men?

If your doctor thinks you may have osteoporosis, they can refer you for a range of scans and tests. This includes a fracture risk assessment. The scans and tests help to find out if you have osteoporosis, your risk of breaking a bone and if you need a drug treatment. 

If your doctor is unfamiliar with osteoporosis in men, it may help to show them this web page.

What causes osteoporosis in men?

At least half of men with osteoporosis have an underlying reason for their osteoporosis. But we don't always know why men have osteoporosis. 

Many of the causes of osteoporosis are the same in men and women. They include coeliac disease, steroids, eating disorders and age. 

But some treatments and conditions increase the chance in men alone. This is because they cause very low levels of testosterone (male hormone) in the body. The treatments and conditions include: 

• Klinefelter's syndrome 
• Kallmann syndrome
• injury to the testicles 
• some conditions that affect the pituitary gland 
• some prostate cancer drug treatments
• radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Testosterone and bone strength

Testosterone is important for bone strength. Some men have medical conditions that cause them to have very low levels of testosterone. This can make them more likely to have osteoporosis. 

What osteoporosis drug treatments are available for men?

Osteoporosis drug treatments help to strengthen bones, making them less likely to break. 

Your doctor may recommend a drug treatment if your chance of breaking a bone is high enough that your bones would benefit from it. 

There are different drug treatments available for men with osteoporosis. These include: 

• alendronate
• risedronate
• zoledronate
• denosumab
• teriparatide. 

These osteoporosis drug treatments are licensed for men of all ages. This means research has shown they are safe and effective at reducing the chance of broken bones in men. 

There are other osteoporosis drug treatments. But we don't have enough research to be sure they reduce the chance of broken bones in men. 

Some drug treatments wouldn't be suitable for men. This is because they contain or act like oestrogen (a female hormone) inside the bone. The drugs are hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and raloxifene. 

Should men see an osteoporosis specialist? 

It's important for men, and especially younger men, to see a specialist who understands osteoporosis. As osteoporosis is less common in men, there are many factors to think about when diagnosing and treating the condition. A specialist can help to: 

• find out if there's an underlying reason for your osteoporosis
• recommend osteoporosis drug treatments 
• interpret the results of your DXA scan. 

How can men look after their bones? 

We can all look after our bones by: 

• eating a well-balanced, varied and calcium-rich diet 
• having safe exposure to sunlight, so that your skin makes vitamin D
• staying active by doing both weight-bearing impact and muscle-strengthening exercise 
• not smoking
• not drinking more than the recommended levels of alcohol 
• taking steps to lower your chance of falling, as falls can lead to broken bones. 

Will osteoporosis and broken bones affect my job? 

Men often tell us they worry about how osteoporosis and broken bones could affect their job. This is especially the case if their job involves heavy lifting. 

It's normal to feel concerned. But you should be able to keep working and doing the activities that are important to you. 

There are some adjustments you can make to reduce the chance of broken bones in the workplace. They include: 

• reducing the size of loads you lift 
• reducing repetitive bending, twisting and turning 
• using safe moving and lifting techniques to keep your back straight. 

There are also things you can do to help manage pain if you've had painful broken bones. 

It's important to tell your employer if you feel unable to carry out tasks you were able to do before or need some adjustments. Your employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace to accommodate your needs. And this protects you from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of disability. 

Find out more about adjustments you can make in the workplace in our fact sheet. 

Is there any financial help available?

Osteoporosis itself doesn't make you eligible for disability-related financial support. But you may be able to get financial help if your broken bones make it hard for you to do everyday tasks, get around or work. You may also be able to get financial support if you're caring for someone with broken bones.

Find out about the different types of financial support that may be available for you in our fact sheet.  

James' story

In this blog, James tells his story about his experience of being diagnosed and living with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is thought of as an old person's illness. But it can also affect younger people and have dramatic effects on their health. I think this should be more well known. James, 44

Support for you 

Fact sheets, booklets and films 

Our health information is for everyone living with osteoporosis. 

We have a series of information films which have been developed together with people who have experience of osteoporosis and broken bones, and who understand what you might be going through. 

We also have lots of fact sheets and booklets available to download and print. Our fact sheets and booklets cover topics including general bone health, drug treatments, scans and tests, risk factors and living with osteoporosis and broken bones. 

Emotional wellbeing and osteoporosis 

Living with osteoporosis can have an impact on your emotional health. But you're not alone and we're here to support you. Find information and support to help you manage the emotional impact of osteoporosis and broken bones.

Online community

The Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK community is a welcoming, safe space for you to share your experiences with others. 

Support groups 

Through our network of support groups, you can connect with people in your area going through the same things as you. Find your local support group. 

Content reviewed: October 2024