Osteoporosis is not just a woman's disease. It affects men too and they are more likely to suffer life-threatening fractures.

Women suffer the lion's share of osteoporotic fractures, but men are not let off easily either. They are more likely to die following a hip fracture.

In Singapore, it is estimated that one-third of osteoporotic fractures occur in men. However, 34 per cent of men die after a hip fracture compared to 17 per cent of women sufferers, said Dr Manju Chandran, a consultant endocrinologist and director of the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Unit at the Singapore General Hospital.

Men should therefore step up their efforts to prevent osteoporosis, said Dr Tan Ghyn Hong, an associate consultant. "Although more women than men suffer from osteoporosis, male osteoporosis is increasingly being recognised as an important health problem. It is just not emphasised enough," he said.

Bone remodelling declines

Bones begin to weaken after the age of 30, as bone remodelling – the process where old bone is replaced by new bone – declines. Older women are more susceptible to fractures as their bones wear down faster due to menopause, which sends oestrogen levels plummeting. "Oestrogen is a bone-protective hormone, so women lose bone mass very quickly after menopause," explained Dr Manju. "In fact, in the first five years of menopause, women may lose as much as 2 - 5 per cent of their bone mass per year. " In men, osteoporosis can be caused by hypogonadism – low testosterone levels – and hypercalciuria, where too much calcium is secreted in the urine, she added.

Both sexes can reduce bone loss if they maintain a healthy weight and a balanced diet that is adequate in calcium. Weight-bearing exercises – those that work muscles against gravity, like stair-climbing and jogging – can also strengthen bones. One should also try to get sufficient vitamin D from sunlight to complement calcium absorption, and avoid smoking and alcohol abuse, said Dr Manju.

Dr Tan pointed out that one should adopt these measures from a young age. "The best way to maintain bone mass as one ages is to have a greater bone mass to start with," he said and added, "Building up one's bone mass during childhood and adolescence is an investment to prevent osteoporosis later on in life."

Ref: V10