Testosterone has always been associated with men and estrogen to women. Men however possess both hormones and a new study has for the first time reported the link between low estrogen and hip fracture in a study group of men from the general population followed over time.

"These findings add further evidence to the important role of estrogen in the bone health of older men," says Dr. Amin. "It's important for us to know what puts men at risk for hip fracture so that we can better determine how we may prevent these fractures."

Currently, no tests are routinely performed in men to determine estrogen levels. A man known to have low estrogen levels, however, may potentially benefit from interventions to improve his bone density and prevent hip fracture, says Dr. Amin. This may be especially important if he has low testosterone levels as well.

This study is published in the May issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Read more at EurekAlert.