Can testosterone help osteoporosis in men?

Can testosterone help osteoporosis in men?

Testosterone replacement therapy improves bone density in men with hypogonadal osteoporosis, particularly if the epiphyses are still open. There is no well-established treatment for idiopathic osteoporosis in men, but testosterone supplementation may prove to be useful.

How can hypogonadism be treated?

Male hypogonadism usually is treated with testosterone replacement to return testosterone levels to normal. Testosterone can help counter the signs and symptoms of male hypogonadism, such as decreased sexual desire, decreased energy, decreased facial and body hair, and loss of muscle mass and bone density.

Does low testosterone affect bone density?

One possible consequence of this decrease in testosterone is a decrease in bone density. As men age, their bone density decreases (5, 6), as does that of men whose serum testosterone is low because of pituitary or testicular disease (7–9).

Why does hypogonadism cause osteoporosis?

The incidence of osteoporosis in men is indirectly correlated to the reduction in circulating testosterone. Because androgens may promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, as well as inhibit osteoclast activity (recruitment and signaling), decreased bone density may ensue.

Can testosterone reverse osteoporosis?

When studying 29 men with KS, there was no correlation between serum testosterone levels and bone density. Wong, et al. suggested that sufficient testosterone replacement does not reverse the decrease of bone mass, associated with hypogonadism, in patients with KS.

What happens if hypogonadism is left untreated?

In men, complications of untreated hypogonadism include loss of libido, failure to achieve physical strength, the social implications of failing to go through puberty with peers (if hypogonadism occurs before puberty), and osteoporosis.

Does hypogonadism curable?

Unless it’s caused by a treatable condition, hypogonadism is a chronic condition that may require lifelong treatment. Your sex hormone level may decrease if you stop treatment. Seeking support through therapy or support groups can help you before, during, and after treatment.

How does hypogonadism cause osteoporosis?

What role does testosterone play in osteoporosis?

Androgen receptor signaling in osteoblasts contributes to trabecular bone formation whereas androgens prevent osteocyte-mediated, age-related trabecular bone loss. Indirectly testosterone affects the bone through local conversion to estrogen by aromatase. This leads to both increased cortical and trabecular bone.

Does testosterone help with bone density?

Based on FEA of QCT data, testosterone treatment also increased estimated bone strength. Testosterone treatment increased estimated strength of spine trabecular bone by 10.8% (95% CI, 7.4% to 14.3%), compared with 2.4% (95% CI, −1.0% to 5.7%) in placebo-treated men (Figure 3B and Table 2).

Does testosterone strengthen bones?

Testosterone is an important hormone for both bone gain and maintenance in men. Hypogonadal men have accelerated bone turnover and increased fracture risk. In these men, administration of testosterone inhibits bone resorption and maintains bone mass.

Does testosterone injection increase bone density?

Findings Testosterone treatment of older men with low testosterone increased volumetric trabecular bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and estimated bone strength significantly compared with placebo.

Which medications are used in the treatment of male hypogonadism-related osteoporosis?

Bisphosphonates should be first-line therapy in the treatment of male hypogonadism-related osteoporosis, with the consideration for the addition of testosterone replacement therapy. Other pharmacological therapies specifically for male osteoporosis secondary to hypogonadism have yet to be studied.

What is male hypogonadism and how is it treated?

Male hypogonadism is an important and treatable cause of osteoporosis. One of the primary treatment regimens for hypogonadism is testosterone replacement therapy, which helps to not only ameliorate the symptoms of hypogonadism but to increase bone mineral density as well.

What is the relationship between hypogonadism and osteoporosis in men?

Hypogonadism and Osteoporosis in Men. Indeed, testosterone supplementation in hypogonadal men with osteoporosis increases bone mineral density, 3 decreases bone resorption, and stimulates bone formation. 4 In addition, such therapy can ameliorate concomitant abnormalities that contribute to the pathogenesis of hypogonadal male osteoporosis,…

Can testosterone replacement therapy help male hypogonadism?

Male hypogonadism is an important and treatable cause of osteoporosis. One of the primary treatment regimens for hypogonadism is testosterone replacement therapy, which helps not only to ameliorate the symptoms of hypogonadism, but to increase bone mineral density (BMD) as well.