When testosterone levels drop, your bones can pay the price. While it’s
often associated with women, osteoporosis — a condition characterized by
weakened bones and an increased risk for fractures — affects up to 2
million men in the United States, according to the American Academy of
Family Physicians. “Testosterone deficiency has been shown to be a cause
of osteoporosis in men,” says Aaron C. Lentz, MD, an assistant
professor of surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine and a
urologist in Raleigh, N.C. In addition, as you age, the risk of fracture
increases. “In our lifetime, our bones are constantly changing,” says
Aram Mouzeyan, MD, an endocrinologist with Kaiser Permanente in Southern
California. New bone growth replaces old bones as you age, but low
testosterone affects the rebuilding process. “The lower the level of
testosterone, the lower the rebuilding of the bones, which may lead to
low bone density and osteoporosis,” he says.
To protect yourself, brush up on bone health and follow these tips to be strong inside and out: ...
To protect yourself, brush up on bone health and follow these tips to be strong inside and out: ...