[Osteoporosis in men]

Abstract

Less comon than in women, osteoporosis in men may be idiopathic, but in about 60% of patients several factors contribute to bone loss and fractures. The most prominent causes of secondary osteoporosis in males are hypogonadism, corticosteroid therapy, alcohol abuse, and gastrointestinal or hepatic disorders. Testosterone treatment is reserved to the treatment of hypogonadal men. In primary or secondary male osteoporosis, diphosphonates prevent bone loss and reduce the incidence of future fractures.