The Role of Estrogens in the Skeletal Health of Men and Women

摘要

The essential role of estrogens in female skeletal health has been an unquestioned tenet in the field for many years. In women, estrogens are important for establishment of peak bone mass, for its maintenance, and for therapy of osteoporosis. Newer information continues to provide support for this fundamental principle but recent knowledge is providing insights into the potential role of extremely small amounts of estrogens in the postmenopausal years. As estrogens are considered to be important for female skeletal health, so androgens have long been considered essential for male skeletal health. This is clearly the case. Moreover, the differences between the male and female skeleton have been explained, at least in part, by the additional anabolic effects of androgens on skeletal and muscle mass. Newer information is providing insights into a potential role for estrogens as well in the male skeleton with respect to acquisition of peak bone mass, its maintenance and even therapy. This chapter will cover these established and newer concepts about estrogens in the skeletal health of women and men.