Should You Get a DEXA Scan to Check for Osteoporosis?
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You Should Know: A DEXA (or DXA) scan uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density, usually at the hip and spine. The standard recommendation is to screen women at 65, but some doctors are now calling for earlier screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force also recommends screening postmenopausal women under 65 who are at increased risk for fractures.
Going Deeper: Menopause itself isn’t an automatic prescription for a scan. Instead, doctors consider your overall fracture risk. Factors that can push screening earlier include low body weight, smoking, heavy alcohol use, a familial history of fractures, certain medications such as long-term corticosteroids, and some medical conditions. And while DEXA is useful, bone density is only one piece of fracture risk: age, fall risk, balance, and stability also factor in.
Takeaway: Getting tested earlier makes sense if your risk profile warrants it, but not solely because you’ve reached menopause.
Bottom Line: 65 remains the routine screening age, and earlier testing is already science-backed for higher-risk postmenopausal women — so there’s no black-and-white rule for when you should get scanned. Your primary care provider can help you decide.
