Why Bone Health Should Be a Core Part of Women’s Preventive Care
When women think about preventive care, they often focus on mammograms, pap smears, and cholesterol checks. While all of these are important, there’s one essential area of health that too often gets overlooked—bone health.
Strong bones are fundamental to long-term mobility, independence, and quality of life. Yet many women don’t realize their bones are at risk until it’s too late. Osteoporosis is often silent until a fracture occurs, and recovery from those injuries can be life-altering. At Ms.Medicine, we believe bone health should be a standard part of preventive care—not just a reaction to injury or a concern for later life.
That’s why we developed the Bone Health Risk Assessment—a personalized screening tool designed specifically for women, to help identify risks early and create a tailored plan for lifelong bone strength.
Why Bone Health Deserves More Attention in Women’s Preventive Care
Most women start losing bone mass in their mid-30s. But the real tipping point comes during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen levels begin to decline. Estrogen plays a critical role in maintaining bone density, and without it, the rate of bone loss accelerates—sometimes rapidly.
Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause. And because osteoporosis develops silently, many women don't realize their bones have weakened until they experience a fracture from a minor fall or bump.
This is not just a quality-of-life issue. Hip and spinal fractures can lead to long recovery periods, reduced independence, and increased mortality risk. Despite this, routine bone screening (like a DXA scan) is typically not recommended until age 65, unless a woman has known risk factors.
That leaves a critical gap in preventive care for women in their 40s and 50s—the very window when intervention is most effective.
The Case for Early Assessment and Prevention
Bone health should be evaluated long before problems arise, and not only in women over 65. There are many risk factors that can contribute to early bone loss, including:
Early menopause or surgical removal of ovaries
Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
Low body weight or history of disordered eating
Long-term use of steroids or other bone-depleting medications
Chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease
Sedentary lifestyle or poor calcium and vitamin D intake
Smoking and heavy alcohol use
Even women who appear healthy on the outside may have silent risk factors for bone loss. That’s why a bone risk assessment should be a routine part of personalized preventive care.
At Ms.Medicine, we don’t believe in waiting until fractures happen. We believe in acting now—with tools that are thoughtful, tailored, and grounded in evidence-based women’s health.
Introducing the Bone Health Risk Assessment at Ms.Medicine
Our Bone Health Risk Assessment is designed to evaluate your personal risk for osteoporosis and guide next steps before symptoms or injury occur.
The assessment includes:
Review of reproductive milestones, including menopause timing or hormone therapy
Lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol use, physical activity, and smoking
Family and personal medical history
Review of medications and chronic conditions that affect bone metabolism
Screening for signs of early bone loss or need for DXA scan
Discussion of lab work related to bone health (calcium, vitamin D, PTH, thyroid)
Our approach allows you to understand your current bone status, identify opportunities for prevention, and receive personalized recommendations—whether you’re in your 40s and beginning to plan ahead or in your 60s and want to reassess your risk.
This is where concierge medicine for women truly shines. With more time, deeper relationships, and a proactive mindset, we help women take control of their long-term health—starting with their bones.
Prevention Strategies That Make a Difference
Once we’ve identified your risk, we work with you to create a practical, personalized plan. Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does need to be consistent.
Key elements of bone health prevention include:
1. Nutrition Support
Aim for 1,200 mg of calcium daily (preferably from food) and ensure your vitamin D levels are optimized. We can also help guide supplements if needed.
2. Physical Activity
Weight-bearing exercise (such as walking, dancing, or light jogging) and resistance training help build and maintain bone mass. Yoga, Pilates, and balance exercises also reduce the risk of falls and support coordination.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol are critical for bone preservation. So is maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding long periods of physical inactivity.
4. Fall Prevention
If your balance or mobility has changed, simple home modifications and strength training can greatly reduce your fall risk.
5. Hormonal Support
For some women, hormone therapy during the menopausal transition may be appropriate and can also support bone density. Our clinicians are trained to walk through the pros and cons in the context of your full health history.
6. Early Intervention When Needed
If your DXA scan or FRAX score shows elevated risk, we can discuss medical therapies designed to prevent fractures and preserve bone.
A Stronger Foundation for What Comes Next
Strong bones are the foundation of your health—literally. They carry you through your days, support your independence, and keep you doing what you love. But they need care, too. And not just later in life—now.
At Ms.Medicine, we’re redefining what preventive care means for women. We believe that bone health isn’t an afterthought—it’s core to your overall well-being. With our Bone Health Risk Assessment, you don’t have to guess where you stand. You’ll get answers, support, and a plan built around you.
Schedule your Bone Health Risk Assessment today and take one smart, simple step toward stronger bones, a stronger body, and a stronger future.
