@windyshores I think it's useful to remember that when patients seek a second opinion, we're getting an opinion. It actually applies to every consultation including the first. I find the lack of consensus on treatment protocols to be the most disturbing. We're firmly in an era where patients are being proactive and doing their own research, and with osteoporosis treatment we're in the weeds. People are beginning to realize that every drug has its risks - even the once seemingly benign NSAIDS ASA, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are no longer considered globally safe. Patients used to insist on receiving antibiotics for viruses, and doctors ended up providing them despite knowing that they would be ineffective and that created many problems down the line. As populations age, the long-term effects of medications are revealed. We're nowhere near that for most of the drugs currently available to treat osteoporosis. There are risks, and they're significant. Considering the alternative,
most doctors believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. It's likely that the risks aren't highlighted to the degree they should be, and that may be due to noncompliance being common. You're probably right regarding the lack of research due to this being more of a woman's disease.