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As women approach menopause, adding a bone scan to your health checkup can help you understand your bone density and the risk of osteoporosis.
Bone health is often overlooked during menopause.
For many women, menopause brings a cascade of physical and emotional changes, but one of the most overlooked concerns is bone health. Osteoporosis, a condition where bones lose density and become weak, often creeps in quietly during this time. It significantly increases the risk of fractures, especially in older women.
“The risk of osteoporosis rises sharply during peri- and postmenopausal years due to a decline in oestrogen and testosterone levels,” says Dr. Jyotsna R Mirlay, Consultant – OBG, Specialist in Infertility & Menopause, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram.
“These hormones play a vital role in maintaining bone strength. Their absence leaves bones more vulnerable to damage,” adds Dr Mirlay.
More Than Mammograms: Prioritising Bone Screening
While awareness around screenings for breast, cervical, and uterine cancers has grown, conversations about bone and muscle health are still limited.
“Women and even healthcare providers often overlook bone health. But a simple DEXA scan can be a game-changer,” Dr. Mirlay explains. “It checks bone density in key areas like the spine, wrist, and hip, and also gives insight into a woman’s muscle mass.”
She emphasises that DEXA scan results are not just numbers; they offer a roadmap to understand what’s lacking and how to intervene.
Bone Health Is Freedom
Fractures due to osteoporosis aren’t just painful; they’re often life-altering.
“There can be no better way to ensure a healthy menopause than to treat bone and muscle tissue loss early,” says Dr. Mirlay. “It acts as insurance against fractures, which are a major cause of disability and even death in older women.”
Maintaining bone strength ensures mobility, independence, and quality of life as women age.
Making Smart Lifestyle Choices
The good news? Much of this is preventable. Dr. Mirlay recommends a two-pronged approach of nutrition and movement.
“A diet rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D is crucial. And exercise: especially walking, weight training, yoga, and swimming, makes a big difference,” she says. “Osteoporosis and sarcopenia result from poor lifestyle choices, worsened by menopause. Awareness in the 30s can go a long way in building consistency and preventing long-term damage.” she concludes.
Supplements and medical treatments can help in more advanced cases, but prevention starts much earlier.
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Delhi, India, India
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