Osteoporosis causes your bones to become brittle and fragile, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. But most people with osteoporosis don’t know this is happening to their bones, or that they have this disease.

In fact, osteoporosis is sometimes considered a “silent disease” because of its lack of symptoms. (1)

Many people don’t learn they have osteoporosis until they break a bone from a seemingly minor fall or other accident. Doctors sometimes call these “fragility fractures.”

These bone fractures tend to heal slowly and most often occur in the spine, wrists, hips, and pelvis.

In later stages of osteoporosis, people who have it may experience:

If you or your doctor think you may be at risk for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend that you have your bone mineral density measured. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before you break a bone.

The most common BMD test is called DXA (also abbreviated DEXA), or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) recommends that DXA be performed to test the hip and spine.

A DXA test doesn’t hurt and is much like having an X-ray done, but involves less radiation exposure. (2) You’ll lie down on a padded table as your body — or usually selected body parts, such as the hip, wrist, and spine — are scanned. (3)

DXA results are given in T-scores, which compare a person’s bone mineral density to average values for healthy young women in units of standard deviation.

Your BMD, along with information about certain personal characteristics and osteoporosis risk factors, can be used to estimate your risk of having a bone fracture in the next 10 years. The tool used to estimate fracture risk is known as FRAX. (5)

The BHOF recommends having a bone density test if:

If you take medication to treat osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend repeating the DXA scan every one or two years. Whenever you start a new osteoporosis medication, your healthcare provider most likely will want to perform a bone density test after one year.

Note that while having low bone density — also known as osteopenia — puts you at greater risk of developing osteoporosis, it doesn’t guarantee that you will get it. Sometimes lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, can slow the rate of bone loss.

While the BHOF states that people with osteoporosis should consider drug treatment to reduce the risk of broken bones, for people with osteopenia, it suggests using FRAX to calculate a person’s fracture risk before deciding on whether to use medication. (2)

Preparing to talk about osteoporosis with your doctor in advance can help to make sure you get your questions answered. The following are practical and proactive things you can do to make your appointment go smoothly. (3)

Not sure what to ask your doctor about osteoporosis? Mayo Clinic recommends the following questions:

Aside from the questions you prepare ahead of time, be sure to ask questions that come to mind during your visit with your doctor.

Also, be ready to answer some questions from your doctor, such as the following: (3)

If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, remember that treating it may involve numerous, simultaneous approaches — including lifestyle changes as well as drug therapy — and that your doctor will want you to check in periodically to see what effect your treatment is having and whether changes in treatment might be necessary.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Discover safe ways to strengthen muscles and bones and improve balance.

Learn how lifestyle changes and medications can help you manage your risks of bone fractures.

Learn how this early sign of low bone mass is different than osteoporosis — and how to manage it.

Targeted pharmacologic therapies for prevention may make sense for women at high risk of fracture.

A very small percentage of older men with bone fractures had recent bone mineral density testing.

Bone health experts emphasize the importance of continuing drug therapies and provide recommendations for those who must miss a treatment.

A large study finds that older women who spend more time being active have fewer hip fractures.

A new study finds that low daily doses of these cholesterol-lowering medications are associated with lower osteoporosis risk, while higher doses are associated...

New research suggests that bisphosphonate use before taking Prolia could reduce fracture risk after discontinuation.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.