About 80 of those suffering from osteoporosis are women, mainly due to a sharp decline in estrogen levels after menopause.
It is commonly believed that only women develop osteoporosis. However, doctors say this condition, which weakens bones, making them thinner and less dense than they should be, can affect anyone regardless of sex or gender. Although, according to statistics, osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men.
Because osteoporosis symptoms Does it appear more in women than in men?
According to experts, women mainly develop osteoporosis symptoms due to menopause. “Women, especially after menopause, are at higher risk,” Dr Rajeev Verma, HOD and Joint Replacement and Orthopedics Consultant, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, told Times Now.
About 80 percent of osteoporosis sufferers are women, mainly due to a sharp decline in estrogen levels after menopause. Estrogen plays a crucial role in protecting bone density and its reduction accelerates bone loss. “As a result, women experience a more rapid decline in bone mass, making them more susceptible to fractures, especially in the spine, wrist and hip,” Dr. Verma added.
However, this does not mean that osteoporosis cannot affect men.
Age of onset in women vs men
Experts say that women develop osteoporosis earlier than men because:
- They have more rapid age-related bone loss than men
- They generally have smaller, thinner bones.
- Have smaller bodies
- Many women suffer from eating disorders that lead them to severely limit the foods they eat, causing calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
According to the World Health Organization, men develop osteoporosis about a decade later than women. “By the age of 80, the prevalence of osteoporosis in men catches up to that in women,” Dr. Verma said.
What are the reasons behind osteoporosis in men?
Dr. Verma says men may be more likely to develop secondary osteoporosis, often caused by lifestyle factors such as:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Prolonged use of medications.
- Hormonal changes
“Both men and women with osteoporosis are at high risk of fractures, which can have devastating consequences. “Hip fractures, in particular, are associated with significant morbidity in older adults,” he added.
Ways to prevent osteoporosis
For both men and women, some ways to prevent osteoporosis include:
Exercise
According to doctors, bones can be strengthened with the help of regular exercise. Your bones can be strengthened with the help of weight-bearing exercises that force your body to work against gravity as you move.
Calcium and vitamin D intake.
Most adults need about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, and when the body doesn’t have enough of the nutrient, it begins to break down bones to get what it needs. Therefore, it is important to make sure you include this nutrient in your diet every day.
quit smoking
Smoking doubles the risk of bone loss and fractures by preventing the body’s hormone estrogen from working well.
Avoid carbonated drinks
Studies say that colas, more than other carbonated soft drinks, cause more bone loss. The extra phosphorus they contain may prevent your body from absorbing calcium. Or it may simply be that women are replacing calcium-rich beverages, such as milk, with soft drinks.
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