Bone Density Testing

Women First Care
Through every stage of life

Older woman with grey hair in long sleeve pink shirt flexing left arm
Icon of Lotus Florwer

Breast
Health

Pelvic Helath Icon

Pelvic
Health

Menopause & Hormones

Icon to represent Common GYN Conditions

Common GYN Conditions

Diagnostics & Treatment

Uterus Icon to Represent Gynecologic Surgeries

Gynecologic Surgeries

As a woman, you’re at risk for osteoporosis as you age. Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that can cause bones to become weak and fragile. Low bone mass, also called osteopenia, is a condition that can lead to osteoporosis and also gradually makes bones more fragile and more susceptible to fractures. The spine, hip and wrist are areas most vulnerable to effects of osteoporosis. While osteoporosis can affect women and men, it is much more common in women after menopause.

Millions of women are affected by these disorders, and the best way to protect yourself is maintaining a healthy lifestyle for prevention and early detection if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis. The DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan is considered the best screening method to detect low bone mass. It is a non-invasive and painless test. We encourage this test in our patients who we consider at risk for osteoporosis.

About 13 to 18% of U.S. women age 50 years or older have osteoporosis, while another 37 to 50% have low bone mass (osteopenia). Although hip fracture has been emphasized as a source of disability and even death, spine fractures can account for problems with pain, changes in appearance and loss of independence. It can even have an effect on cardiovascular, lung and digestive function.

The good news is major complications from osteoporosis are largely preventable. Appropriate screening and pharmacologic interventions are now available to treat osteoporosis. Initial screening, which is available in our office, often provides information that leads to treatment. The most common method for screening is the DEXA dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, the technical standard for measuring bone mineral density. It is relatively inexpensive and has a very modest radiation exposure.

Osteoporosis screening is recommended for all postmenopausal women ages 65 or older. It is also recommended in postmenopausal women younger than 65 who have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis.

Risk factors for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women include:

  • History of previous fracture
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Caucasian race
  • Dementia
  • Poor nutrition
  • Smoking
  • Low weight and body mass index
  • Estrogen deficiency
  • Long-term low calcium intake
  • Alcoholism
  • Chronic steroid use
  • Use of certain antidepressants
  • Inadequate physical activity
  • Hyperthyroidism

Women First is pleased to be able to offer osteoporosis screening and counseling regarding therapies for osteoporosis in our office.

Is it Time to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Exam?

Your annual women’s health appointment is a vital part of your health care, and the perfect time to talk to your Care Team about your personal health questions.

Is it Time to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Exam?

What People Are Saying

Alina Zabelle
Alina Zabelle
2023-06-14
Got me that day very professional clean environment
Lisa Webb
Lisa Webb
2023-04-28
Dr. Miller is my doctor and I can't say enough good about her and any of the staff I have interacted with. I highly recommend them.
Tiffany Enriquez
Tiffany Enriquez
2023-04-25
I love Dr. Brown. Hands down, she is an Angel on Earth. I literally would not be here today without her. She always tells me exactly what I need to hear, she stands up for her patients, and has believed in me when I don’t believe in myself. Woman’s health isn’t just gynecological. It’s mental. It’s having someone there to hold your hand when you’re alone. And Dr. Brown continues to hold my hand and I can’t thank her enough. I will forever be indebted to her and will love her forever. I will miss her incredibly and deeply when she retires. Thank you Dr. Brown, for everything. -Tiffany Enriquez
Willa S. Tierney
Willa S. Tierney
2023-03-29
Only positive things to say about Women’s First! I always receive excellent communication from support staff and I’m very grateful for the doctor-patient relationship I have with Dr. Rebecca Booth. I frequently speak highly of and recommend this practice to friends, family, and colleagues!
Yoselin Ramirez
Yoselin Ramirez
2023-03-18
La doctora margarita terraza aun trabaja ahí?