Menopause May Prompt Bone Density Scan

“If you’re a woman who has gone through menopause, you may be a candidate for a bone density scan,” says Irene Sobolevsky, MD, an Internal Medicine specialist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and a certified Menopause Practitioner. “Bone density scans can indicate your risk of bone fractures due to thinning bones, a process that accelerates when menopause causes hormonal changes.”

Dr. Sobolevsky notes that bone density scans may be recommended for postmenopausal women and for women with other risk factors, such as smoking, excessive caffeine or alcohol use, a family history of fractures or osteoporosis, low body weight, and infrequent physical activity. Talk to your doctor about your possible risk factors and whether you need a bone density scan.