Menopause Bone Health: Preventing Osteoporosis and Bone Damage
Learn how menopause impacts bone health, spot early signs of damage, and follow practical diet, exercise, and medical strategies to prevent osteoporosis.
When working with DEXA scan, a low‑dose X‑ray technique that quantifies bone mineral density (BMD). Also called dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry, it is the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density, the amount of mineral matter per square centimeter of bone. Accurate BMD numbers enable the FRAX tool, a risk‑assessment algorithm that predicts 10‑year fracture probability, and support a clear diagnosis of osteoporosis, a disease where bone strength is significantly reduced. In short, DEXA scan measures bone mineral density, bone mineral density predicts osteoporosis risk, and the FRAX tool estimates fracture risk based on DEXA results. The test takes only a few minutes, uses a fraction of the radiation of a standard X‑ray, and delivers numbers that doctors translate into T‑scores and Z‑scores, helping you and your clinician decide if treatment is needed.
Beyond the raw numbers, a DEXA scan opens the door to a broader conversation about bone health. If your scan shows low BMD, doctors often recommend calcium‑rich foods, vitamin D supplementation, and weight‑bearing exercise—each backed by decades of research. Some prescription meds, like long‑term corticosteroids, can chip away at bone density, while certain antipsychotics (for example, risperidone, which we discuss in a detailed comparison on our site) have been linked to reduced calcium absorption. That’s why our collection includes articles on medication impacts, natural supplements such as Superoxide Dismutase, and lifestyle tweaks that protect your skeleton. Knowing your scan result also helps you pick the right supplement; a calcium‑plus‑vitamin D regimen may be enough for mild loss, whereas severe osteoporosis might call for bisphosphonates or denosumab—options we outline in our drug‑comparison guides. The DEXA result becomes a roadmap: it tells you where you stand, what risks you face, and which interventions—dietary, pharmaceutical, or fitness‑based—can shift the balance back toward stronger bones.
Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that tie directly into the DEXA conversation. From deep dives into antipsychotic side effects that affect bone health, to step‑by‑step guides on buying affordable supplements, to clear explanations of how the FRAX tool works, each piece adds a layer to the bigger picture. Whether you’re prepping for your first scan, trying to interpret a recent report, or looking for actionable steps to improve your bone density, the resources here give you practical, trustworthy information you can act on right away. Dive in and discover the full range of insights that will help you make the most of your DEXA results.
Learn how menopause impacts bone health, spot early signs of damage, and follow practical diet, exercise, and medical strategies to prevent osteoporosis.