A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is a non-invasive medical imaging test that measures bone mineral density. This scan uses two low-dose X-ray beams to produce detailed images of the bones, most commonly the hip and spine. Healthcare professionals use information from a DEXA scan to assess bone strength and determine fracture risk. For women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB), monitoring bone health becomes fundamental during and after menopause. Here’s more information on DEXA scan bone screenings and their benefits:
What Is a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan, also called a DXA or bone density scan, provides a precise measurement of bone density, which is a key indicator of one’s bone health. As women and AFAB individuals approach menopause, the body undergoes hormonal changes, most notably a sharp decline in estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining bone mass, so its reduction commonly leads to accelerated bone loss. This natural biological process increases susceptibility to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak, brittle bones that are more prone to fracture.
Understanding the impact of menopause on the skeletal system is fundamental for proactive health management. The bone loss that occurs during this life stage is often silent, with no apparent symptoms until a fracture occurs. Regular bone monitoring enables early detection of changes in bone density, allowing timely intervention and management strategies. A DEXA scan is a valuable tool in this process, offering a clear picture of bone health.
Who Is A Candidate?
Healthcare providers typically recommend DEXA scans for post-menopausal AFAB people and women, particularly those over the age of 65. Younger individuals with certain risk factors may also be candidates for this screening, regardless of biological sex. These risk factors may include a family history of osteoporosis, a personal history of fractures from minor trauma, certain medical conditions, or the long-term use of medications known to affect bone density, like corticosteroids.
The scan itself is straightforward, painless, and usually takes 30 minutes to complete. Here are some general steps of a bone scan:
- During the scan, you lie on a padded table while a scanner arm passes over your body.
- The results provide a T score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult, and a Z score, which compares your bone density to that of an average person of the same age and sex.
- These scores help a medical professional evaluate bone health comprehensively.
- Your provider will develop a treatment plan for your condition and health needs.
What Are the Benefits?
Regular DEXA scans offer several key benefits for post-menopausal individuals, and they are a proactive approach for maintaining long-term skeletal health. Bone density screening offers the potential advantage of early detection of osteopenia or osteoporosis before a painful fracture happens. Identifying bone loss early allows individuals and their healthcare teams to implement lifestyle adjustments and other strategies to help preserve bone strength. Another benefit is the ability to monitor the progression of bone loss or the effectiveness of a management plan over time. Follow-up scans can show whether bone density is stable, decreasing, or improving, allowing for treatment adjustments.
Learn More About DEXA Scans
A bone density scan is a screening procedure for assessing skeletal health. It provides detailed data that guides medical plans to maintain skeletal strength better and reduce fracture risk. If you are post-menopausal or have risk factors for osteoporosis, contact a radiology bone specialist for a consultation today.
