At what age should osteoporosis screening begin?

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Osteoporosis makes bones more prone to fracture. Bone density is usually measured by DXA. The timing of testing should not be based simply on the age at which a neighbour broke a bone.

Recommendations for women and men

The USPSTF's 2025 recommendation supports screening women aged 65 and older, and younger postmenopausal women according to a risk assessment.

For men, the same organisation found insufficient evidence to determine the balance of benefits and harms of population screening. This does not mean men should never be tested. The ISCD recommends bone density testing for men aged 70 and older, and younger men with risk factors.

When might earlier assessment be needed?

A low-energy fracture, prolonged corticosteroid use, markedly low body weight or conditions that cause bone loss may warrant earlier investigation. Assessing someone who has already had a fracture differs from screening an asymptomatic population.

The measurement alone does not determine treatment. Previous fractures, fall risk and other clinical features are considered together. The interval between repeat measurements is not the same for everyone.

Sources

• USPSTF: Osteoporosis screening (2025)
• ISCD: Bone density testing indications (2023)

This article provides general information. Individual diagnosis and treatment require a clinical assessment.