Why Brittle Bones Aren’t Just a Woman’s Problem

 

        Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that is influenced both by environmental factors and by being genetically predisposed to it. This article mentions that men are often overlooked in being screened for the disease, despite the fact that they have similar risks to women. 

 

        A key genetic component of Osteoporosis is bone mineral density. Bone mineral density is highly heritable, about 60-80%. Specifically, individuals with a history of osteoporosis inherit variants of genes that can reduce gene formation, weaken collagen structure, or change calcium/vitamin D metabolism. These variants are COL1A1, LRP5, and ESR1. The rate of osteoporosis in men has likely increased due to inherited susceptibility and environmental factors. The article also mentions that sex-linked genetic pathways, such as estrogen and testosterone, can influence when the disease appears in men versus women. 

 

        This article exposes a big health issue that is very overlooked in men. Overall, this article is trying to call out that men should be getting screened more for osteoporosis, and it is not just a "women's disease". Especially since it has a large genetic component. Also, since men often have worse fracture recovery as compared to women, they should definitely get screened for osteoporosis after that. 

References 

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, September 20). Osteoporosis — Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968

Span, P. (2025, October 4). Why brittle bones aren’t just a woman’s problem. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/health/osteoporosis-men.html