While bone health is important for everyone, maintaining healthy bones is especially important for women. This is because women tend to develop osteoporosis more than men, especially during menopause. Women have less bone tissue than men and about 80% of Americans with osteoporosis are women.
The risk factors for bone loss and osteoporosis in women include:
Be sure to talk with your doctor about any risk factors you may have for bone loss or if you have any concerns based on your personal health history.
There are a few ways to be preventative about bone loss and osteoporosis in women, such as:
For women aged 65 or older or those who have risk factors for bone loss, Banner Health offers DEXA Bone Densitometry scans to measure your bone density and see how strong your bones are. DEXA tests are very similar to x-rays and should be performed every few years to prevent bone fractures and disability.
While older women are more at risk for bone loss or osteoporosis, it’s never too early to begin bone care. To maintain your bone health and strength, you can:
Whether it’s to be preventative or help manage your osteoporosis, the world-renowned staff at Banner Health is here to help with your women's bone health needs.