Prevention · Bone health
Osteoporosis screening and bone health
Osteoporosis often causes no symptoms until a fracture. Who should be screened with a bone density scan and what supports bone health over time.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
Why screen
Osteoporosis weakens bones and raises fracture risk, often silently. A bone density scan (DXA) can identify it before a fracture happens.
Who should be screened
The USPSTF recommends screening women aged 65 and older, and postmenopausal women younger than 65 at increased risk.
Supporting bone health
Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activity, adequate calcium and vitamin D, not smoking and limiting alcohol all support bone health.
Factors that can affect the result
- Age
- Menopause
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Steroid medicines
- Low body weight
Questions people commonly ask
- Should men be screened?
- Evidence for routine screening in men is less clear; discuss individual risk factors with a clinician.
Related biomarkers
Related tests
Related topics
See where your preventive health stands
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.
Sources
- Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2025.
- Bone Density Scan. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.