Bone Density and Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is a common condition in which there is significant bone loss. Left untreated, osteoporosis can result in a fracture of the spine, hip, or forearm. In women, the risk of osteoporosis (severe loss) and osteopenia (mild to moderate loss) increases significantly after menopause.

At Plano Women’s Healthcare, we care about your bone health, so we offer testing for osteoporosis conveniently right in our office. We have an on-site DEXA machine that allows us to evaluate your bone density and determine your specific risk for an osteoporotic fracture. If testing reveals that you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, we will help make recommendations and offer medication options to help you strengthen your bones.

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?

Prevention is overall the best treatment for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and resistance-based exercise, are foundational for preventing weakening bones. Once osteoporosis or moderate to severe osteopenia occurs, medications may also be necessary. Fortunately, there are FDA-approved drugs for treating osteoporosis and severe osteopenia, such as Fosamax, Boniva, Evista, and Prolia. Estrogen therapy is also approved to prevent bone deterioration and may be an option for some patients. Bioidentical HRT may be another treatment alternative and should be discussed with your doctor.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Sometimes you might not feel anything at all! Many women with osteoporosis may have no symptoms. Occasionally, osteoporosis may present with back pain, loss of height over time, stooped posture, or brittle bones that break easily.

What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?

Osteopenia is the thinning of bone mass. Usually, it means that your bone density is lower than normal, but not as severe as in osteoporosis. Treatment of osteopenia may slow the progression of bone loss and reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis.

What are some risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis?

The likelihood of developing osteoporosis is dependent on a number of factors, including how much bone mass you attained during youth and adolescence. Other risk factors for low bone density include:

Female sex
Menopause
Asian or Caucasian ethnicity
Thin, petite build
Long-term steroid use
Inactivity, poor exercise habits
Smoking
Alcohol use, more than 2 drinks per day
Family history of osteoporosis
Personal history of prior “fragility” fracture
Excessive exercise in youth or adulthood resulting in loss of menstrual periods

Men with low testosterone levels
Low calcium and vitamin D levels
Hyperparathyroidism
Thyroid disease
Autoimmune disease
Bowel diseases (which may lead to low absorption of calcium and vitamin D)
Kidney or liver disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Celiac disease

Also, women who have experienced early menopause may be at greater risk for osteoporosis.

How is a bone density test performed?

A DEXA bone density scan is a fast, non-invasive procedure performed in our office that can detect bone thinning in your hips and spine. During this scan, you will lie, fully clothed, on your back on a padded table while the machine takes pictures of your bones. The DEXA scanner is open for maximum comfort (compared to an MRI scanner) and uses a low-dose X-ray to measure bone density in your hips and spine. You will not need to take any medications or injections before or during the test. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Have More Questions About Osteoporosis or Bone Density?

If you have risk factors for osteoporosis or you are experiencing any signs and symptoms, our team of specialists is standing by to help. Since early treatment is the best prevention for bone loss, it is important that you get evaluated as soon as possible.