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Table of Contents
Sexual Health and Osteoporosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Osteoporosisis linked tohormone levelsin the body, which can affect sexual health. Specifically, a natural lowering of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone as we age can contribute to bone thinning and weakness.During this time, it’s not uncommon to find yourself dealing with sexual health issues likeerectile dysfunction, discomfort during sex, or a reducedsex drive.This article discusses how osteoporosis is connected to sexual health, tips on treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.wundervisuals/ Getty ImagesWhat Is the Connection Between Sexual Problems and Osteoporosis?Sexual health problems, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) andvaginal dryness, can often coexist with osteoporosis. Researchers think this connection is due to the key role that sex hormones play inbone health.One study found that osteoporosis was three times more common in males with ED than those without the condition.Other research suggests that experiencing sexual health issues like vaginal dryness aftermenopauseis linked to osteoporosis.Symptoms and Gender DifferencesOsteoporosis is more common in people who have lower levels of sex hormones in their bodies, as estrogen and testosterone play an important role in providing bone protection.For women, this typically happens when menopause is reached, as the ovaries are producing less estrogen. Similarly, as men age, testosterone production is reduced.Both genders appear to be affected differently regarding how osteoporosis may impact their sexual health. More research has been published on a link between erectile dysfunction in men with osteoporosis, while fewer studies have shown a connection between female sexual dysfunction, menopause, and osteoporosis.It’s estimated that about 10 million adults age 50 and older in the United States have osteoporosis—and the condition is roughly four times as common in women as it is in men.MenAlthough men don’t develop osteoporosis nearly as often as women, research suggests that men with ED have a higher risk of osteoporosis.While many factors can play a role in developing ED, experts believe that lowered testosterone levels are a likely culprit in the case of osteoporosis.Erectile dysfunction symptoms can include:Inability to achieve or trouble achieving an erectionLoss of erection before sexual intercourse is overDifficulty performing during sexPremature or delayed ejaculationIn one study, the group with the highest risk for osteoporosis was men aged 40 to 59 with ED.Researchers recommend that all men with osteoporosis be evaluated for ED—and that men already diagnosed with ED be evaluated for bone density issues like osteoporosis.WomenSignificantly more women experience osteoporosis than men and may also be likely to experience sexual dysfunction issues. Researchers believe this is mostly because of the significant decline in estrogen and testosterone levels around themenopause phase.For example, it’s common to experience symptoms such as:Vaginal drynessPain during intercourseLack of sexual arousalExperts worldwide have been looking into solutions for treating osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction in women who have reached menopause.Some of the potential therapies being studied include:Treating with estrogen and testosterone therapyUsing the prescription synthetic steroid drug TibolonePrescribing drugs used to treat ED for men and womenTrying selective estrogen receptor modulator drugs (SERMs) hormone therapies for breast cancer for vaginal dryness relief and increased sexual driveMore evidence is needed before these treatments may be considered, approved, and recommended for those usages in the United States.How Are Sexual Problems With Osteoporosis Treated?People experiencing sexual dysfunction issues alongside osteoporosis will want to check with a healthcare provider before adjusting their routine or medications. Ensuring yourosteoporosis treatmentplan is on track is a good place to start.Treatment options for osteoporosis include:Prescription medications, known asbisphosphonates, are often prescribed to help decrease bone loss.Hormone therapycan helpboost estrogenand/or testosterone levels, preserving bone density.Lifestyle modifications,such as diet changes to include specific nutrients and adding resistance exercises to your workout routine, can help improve bone health.Surgical procedures, includingvertebroplasty and kyphoplastyorspinal fusion, may be recommended to treat and prevent further bone fractures.Mental health therapies, like talk therapy or support groups, can support psychological well-being with an osteoporosis diagnosis.A healthy sex life may also contribute to improved overall health. Potential treatment options for sexual dysfunction include:Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment optionscan involve prescription medications,testosterone replacement therapy, counseling, and lifestyle changes.Female sexual dysfunction treatment optionsmight include atestosterone patchfor increased sex drive, lubricant for vaginal dryness, and avoiding sexual positions that cause discomfort.Talk therapy for people with osteoporosis and their partners may improve their overall sexual health.Research suggests combining this method with medication helps improve ED symptoms and sexual satisfaction.SummaryThere is a connection between osteoporosis and sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness. Experts think the lower levels of sex hormones as we age cause bone changes that lead to osteoporosis and increase the chances of sexual dysfunction problems. People with osteoporosis experiencing conditions like ED or painful sex should check with a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.A Word From VerywellHaving osteoporosis is common. Experiencing sexual dysfunction issues is common, too. Just know that you don’t need to give up your sex life or physical intimacy because of this condition. Reach out to a healthcare provider to get the conversation going so you can still engage in fulfilling relationships—regardless of a physical condition like osteoporosis.Frequently Asked QuestionsBecause osteoporosis is linked to lower levels of sex hormones, it’s possible to experience a decreased sex drive with this condition. If this is bothersome, know that prescription treatment options are available to help boost hormone levels or target specific issues.Learn MoreLiving With OsteoporosisIt’s normal for people with osteoporosis to worry about how much pressure or weight their bones may be able to handle. Experts say it’s generally safe to continue your regular sex life with osteoporosis. Physical movement and exercise are often part of a treatment plan. Check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about how an active sex life may impact osteoporosis.Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of Yoga for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosisis linked tohormone levelsin the body, which can affect sexual health. Specifically, a natural lowering of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone as we age can contribute to bone thinning and weakness.
During this time, it’s not uncommon to find yourself dealing with sexual health issues likeerectile dysfunction, discomfort during sex, or a reducedsex drive.
This article discusses how osteoporosis is connected to sexual health, tips on treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.
wundervisuals/ Getty Images
What Is the Connection Between Sexual Problems and Osteoporosis?
Sexual health problems, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) andvaginal dryness, can often coexist with osteoporosis. Researchers think this connection is due to the key role that sex hormones play inbone health.
One study found that osteoporosis was three times more common in males with ED than those without the condition.
Other research suggests that experiencing sexual health issues like vaginal dryness aftermenopauseis linked to osteoporosis.
Symptoms and Gender Differences
Osteoporosis is more common in people who have lower levels of sex hormones in their bodies, as estrogen and testosterone play an important role in providing bone protection.For women, this typically happens when menopause is reached, as the ovaries are producing less estrogen. Similarly, as men age, testosterone production is reduced.
Both genders appear to be affected differently regarding how osteoporosis may impact their sexual health. More research has been published on a link between erectile dysfunction in men with osteoporosis, while fewer studies have shown a connection between female sexual dysfunction, menopause, and osteoporosis.
It’s estimated that about 10 million adults age 50 and older in the United States have osteoporosis—and the condition is roughly four times as common in women as it is in men.
Men
Although men don’t develop osteoporosis nearly as often as women, research suggests that men with ED have a higher risk of osteoporosis.While many factors can play a role in developing ED, experts believe that lowered testosterone levels are a likely culprit in the case of osteoporosis.
Erectile dysfunction symptoms can include:
In one study, the group with the highest risk for osteoporosis was men aged 40 to 59 with ED.Researchers recommend that all men with osteoporosis be evaluated for ED—and that men already diagnosed with ED be evaluated for bone density issues like osteoporosis.
Women
Significantly more women experience osteoporosis than men and may also be likely to experience sexual dysfunction issues. Researchers believe this is mostly because of the significant decline in estrogen and testosterone levels around themenopause phase.
For example, it’s common to experience symptoms such as:
Experts worldwide have been looking into solutions for treating osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction in women who have reached menopause.Some of the potential therapies being studied include:
More evidence is needed before these treatments may be considered, approved, and recommended for those usages in the United States.
How Are Sexual Problems With Osteoporosis Treated?
People experiencing sexual dysfunction issues alongside osteoporosis will want to check with a healthcare provider before adjusting their routine or medications. Ensuring yourosteoporosis treatmentplan is on track is a good place to start.
Treatment options for osteoporosis include:
A healthy sex life may also contribute to improved overall health. Potential treatment options for sexual dysfunction include:
Summary
There is a connection between osteoporosis and sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness. Experts think the lower levels of sex hormones as we age cause bone changes that lead to osteoporosis and increase the chances of sexual dysfunction problems. People with osteoporosis experiencing conditions like ED or painful sex should check with a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.
A Word From Verywell
Having osteoporosis is common. Experiencing sexual dysfunction issues is common, too. Just know that you don’t need to give up your sex life or physical intimacy because of this condition. Reach out to a healthcare provider to get the conversation going so you can still engage in fulfilling relationships—regardless of a physical condition like osteoporosis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBecause osteoporosis is linked to lower levels of sex hormones, it’s possible to experience a decreased sex drive with this condition. If this is bothersome, know that prescription treatment options are available to help boost hormone levels or target specific issues.Learn MoreLiving With OsteoporosisIt’s normal for people with osteoporosis to worry about how much pressure or weight their bones may be able to handle. Experts say it’s generally safe to continue your regular sex life with osteoporosis. Physical movement and exercise are often part of a treatment plan. Check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about how an active sex life may impact osteoporosis.Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of Yoga for Osteoporosis?
Because osteoporosis is linked to lower levels of sex hormones, it’s possible to experience a decreased sex drive with this condition. If this is bothersome, know that prescription treatment options are available to help boost hormone levels or target specific issues.Learn MoreLiving With Osteoporosis
Because osteoporosis is linked to lower levels of sex hormones, it’s possible to experience a decreased sex drive with this condition. If this is bothersome, know that prescription treatment options are available to help boost hormone levels or target specific issues.
Learn MoreLiving With Osteoporosis
It’s normal for people with osteoporosis to worry about how much pressure or weight their bones may be able to handle. Experts say it’s generally safe to continue your regular sex life with osteoporosis. Physical movement and exercise are often part of a treatment plan. Check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about how an active sex life may impact osteoporosis.Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of Yoga for Osteoporosis?
It’s normal for people with osteoporosis to worry about how much pressure or weight their bones may be able to handle. Experts say it’s generally safe to continue your regular sex life with osteoporosis. Physical movement and exercise are often part of a treatment plan. Check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about how an active sex life may impact osteoporosis.
Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of Yoga for Osteoporosis?
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wu CH, Lu YY, Chai CY, et al.Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e4024. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004024Endocrine Society.Bone health and postmenopausal women.West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease.Osteoporosis risk factors.Endocrine Society.Hormones and your bones: what you need to know.Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al.The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.J Bone Miner Res. 2014;29(11):2520–2526. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2269Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.Does osteoporosis run in your family?National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.Osteoporosis in men.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Xu J, Wang C, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Ouyang J, Zhang J.Risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(24):e26326. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026326Lang TF.The bone-muscle relationship in men and women.J Osteoporos. 2011;2011:702735. doi:10.4061/2011/702735Monash University (Australia).Preventing bone loss and restoring sexual function in women with early menopause.Ângelo ML, de Lima Moreira F, Araújo Santos AL, Nunes Salgado HR, de Araújo MB.A review of analytical methods for the determination of tibolone: pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical formulations analysis and application in doping control.CPA. 2020;17(1):31-39. doi.10.2174/1573412916666191025143214Kim SM, Taneja C, Perez-Pena H, et al.Repurposing erectile dysfunction drugs tadalafil and vardenafil to increase bone mass.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(25):14386-14394. doi:10.1073/pnas.2000950117Martinkovich S, Shah D, Planey SL, Arnott JA.Selective estrogen receptor modulators: tissue specificity and clinical utility.Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:1437-1452. doi:10.2147/CIA.S66690Lainé M, Fanning SW, Chang YF, et al.Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res. 2021;23(1):54. doi:10.1186/s13058-021-01431-wAmerican Cancer Society.Tamoxifen and raloxifene for lowering breast cancer risk.MedlinePlus.Osteoporosis.National Osteoporosis Foundation.Overall health.Schmidt HM, Munder T, Gerger H, Frühauf S, Barth J.Combination of psychological intervention and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review and meta-analysis.Sex Med. 2014;11(6):1376-1391. doi:10.1111/jsm.12520
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wu CH, Lu YY, Chai CY, et al.Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e4024. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004024Endocrine Society.Bone health and postmenopausal women.West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease.Osteoporosis risk factors.Endocrine Society.Hormones and your bones: what you need to know.Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al.The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.J Bone Miner Res. 2014;29(11):2520–2526. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2269Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.Does osteoporosis run in your family?National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.Osteoporosis in men.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Xu J, Wang C, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Ouyang J, Zhang J.Risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(24):e26326. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026326Lang TF.The bone-muscle relationship in men and women.J Osteoporos. 2011;2011:702735. doi:10.4061/2011/702735Monash University (Australia).Preventing bone loss and restoring sexual function in women with early menopause.Ângelo ML, de Lima Moreira F, Araújo Santos AL, Nunes Salgado HR, de Araújo MB.A review of analytical methods for the determination of tibolone: pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical formulations analysis and application in doping control.CPA. 2020;17(1):31-39. doi.10.2174/1573412916666191025143214Kim SM, Taneja C, Perez-Pena H, et al.Repurposing erectile dysfunction drugs tadalafil and vardenafil to increase bone mass.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(25):14386-14394. doi:10.1073/pnas.2000950117Martinkovich S, Shah D, Planey SL, Arnott JA.Selective estrogen receptor modulators: tissue specificity and clinical utility.Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:1437-1452. doi:10.2147/CIA.S66690Lainé M, Fanning SW, Chang YF, et al.Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res. 2021;23(1):54. doi:10.1186/s13058-021-01431-wAmerican Cancer Society.Tamoxifen and raloxifene for lowering breast cancer risk.MedlinePlus.Osteoporosis.National Osteoporosis Foundation.Overall health.Schmidt HM, Munder T, Gerger H, Frühauf S, Barth J.Combination of psychological intervention and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review and meta-analysis.Sex Med. 2014;11(6):1376-1391. doi:10.1111/jsm.12520
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wu CH, Lu YY, Chai CY, et al.Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e4024. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004024Endocrine Society.Bone health and postmenopausal women.West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease.Osteoporosis risk factors.Endocrine Society.Hormones and your bones: what you need to know.Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al.The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.J Bone Miner Res. 2014;29(11):2520–2526. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2269Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.Does osteoporosis run in your family?National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.Osteoporosis in men.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Xu J, Wang C, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Ouyang J, Zhang J.Risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(24):e26326. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026326Lang TF.The bone-muscle relationship in men and women.J Osteoporos. 2011;2011:702735. doi:10.4061/2011/702735Monash University (Australia).Preventing bone loss and restoring sexual function in women with early menopause.Ângelo ML, de Lima Moreira F, Araújo Santos AL, Nunes Salgado HR, de Araújo MB.A review of analytical methods for the determination of tibolone: pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical formulations analysis and application in doping control.CPA. 2020;17(1):31-39. doi.10.2174/1573412916666191025143214Kim SM, Taneja C, Perez-Pena H, et al.Repurposing erectile dysfunction drugs tadalafil and vardenafil to increase bone mass.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(25):14386-14394. doi:10.1073/pnas.2000950117Martinkovich S, Shah D, Planey SL, Arnott JA.Selective estrogen receptor modulators: tissue specificity and clinical utility.Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:1437-1452. doi:10.2147/CIA.S66690Lainé M, Fanning SW, Chang YF, et al.Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res. 2021;23(1):54. doi:10.1186/s13058-021-01431-wAmerican Cancer Society.Tamoxifen and raloxifene for lowering breast cancer risk.MedlinePlus.Osteoporosis.National Osteoporosis Foundation.Overall health.Schmidt HM, Munder T, Gerger H, Frühauf S, Barth J.Combination of psychological intervention and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review and meta-analysis.Sex Med. 2014;11(6):1376-1391. doi:10.1111/jsm.12520
Wu CH, Lu YY, Chai CY, et al.Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e4024. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004024
Endocrine Society.Bone health and postmenopausal women.
West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease.Osteoporosis risk factors.
Endocrine Society.Hormones and your bones: what you need to know.
Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al.The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.J Bone Miner Res. 2014;29(11):2520–2526. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2269
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.Does osteoporosis run in your family?
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.Osteoporosis in men.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.
Xu J, Wang C, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Ouyang J, Zhang J.Risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(24):e26326. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026326
Lang TF.The bone-muscle relationship in men and women.J Osteoporos. 2011;2011:702735. doi:10.4061/2011/702735
Monash University (Australia).Preventing bone loss and restoring sexual function in women with early menopause.
Ângelo ML, de Lima Moreira F, Araújo Santos AL, Nunes Salgado HR, de Araújo MB.A review of analytical methods for the determination of tibolone: pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical formulations analysis and application in doping control.CPA. 2020;17(1):31-39. doi.10.2174/1573412916666191025143214
Kim SM, Taneja C, Perez-Pena H, et al.Repurposing erectile dysfunction drugs tadalafil and vardenafil to increase bone mass.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(25):14386-14394. doi:10.1073/pnas.2000950117
Martinkovich S, Shah D, Planey SL, Arnott JA.Selective estrogen receptor modulators: tissue specificity and clinical utility.Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:1437-1452. doi:10.2147/CIA.S66690
Lainé M, Fanning SW, Chang YF, et al.Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res. 2021;23(1):54. doi:10.1186/s13058-021-01431-w
American Cancer Society.Tamoxifen and raloxifene for lowering breast cancer risk.
MedlinePlus.Osteoporosis.
National Osteoporosis Foundation.Overall health.
Schmidt HM, Munder T, Gerger H, Frühauf S, Barth J.Combination of psychological intervention and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review and meta-analysis.Sex Med. 2014;11(6):1376-1391. doi:10.1111/jsm.12520
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