Are the side effects of the osteoporosis medication and lessened day-to-day quality of life sometimes worse than the medical condition itself?

Choices: There are many medications and classes for osteoporosis. If you don't like one of them, talk to your doctor about the other choices. there should be one that won't give you bad side effects. If you have osteoporosis, you need to be treated. A hip fracture can permanently affect your quality of life and could even kill you. Have a conversation with your doc.

Depends on reaction: If any side effects from the class of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, etc) are affecting someone's quality of life, it depends on how severe is the side effect to decide whether the risk of having a debilitating hip (and other bone) fracture is worth not taking the medication. Some side effects mean don't take the drug, others may decrease over time.