Bone Density and T-Scores After Menopause

Bone is living tissue that’s constantly rebuilt, and the balance shifts with age. Around menopause, the drop in estrogen accelerates bone loss, which is why bone density becomes worth paying attention to in the years that follow. A DEXA scan is the standard way to measure it.

What DEXA measures. A bone density DEXA scan measures the mineral content of your bones — most often at the hip and spine — using low-dose X-ray. It’s the clinical reference standard for assessing bone density, and the same scan technology used for body composition.

Understanding your T-score. Bone density is usually reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult. By the World Health Organization’s definition: a T-score of −1.0 or above is normal; between −1.0 and −2.5 is low bone mass, often called osteopenia; and −2.5 or below meets the criterion for osteoporosis. A related measure, the Z-score, compares you to others of your own age and sex, and is used in specific situations.

Who guidelines recommend for screening. In its 2025 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises bone density screening with DEXA for all women 65 and older. It also recommends screening for postmenopausal women younger than 65 who are at increased risk of fracture, as identified by a clinical risk assessment. The Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening in men.

A measurement, not a diagnosis. A DEXA scan gives a clear, objective number. Interpreting it — making a diagnosis, weighing your other risk factors, and deciding on any next steps — is a clinical judgment. At Wayne DEXA, a physician reads your scan and reviews the result with you; diagnosis and treatment decisions rest with the clinician who manages your care.