Menu

10 Osteoporosis Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on December 09, 2022

Since you’ve recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis, ask your doctor these questions at your next visit.

  1. Are there ways to keep osteoporosis from worsening?
  2. Are there lifestyle changes I should make?
  3. Can medications taken for other illnesses cause bone loss? And how long will I have to take it?
  4. How can I prevent fractures?
  5. How frequently should I have a bone density test?
  6. How much calcium and vitamin D do I need every day, and how can I get enough of these nutrients? Can i get any of these nutrients from food?
  7. How much exercise do I need to boost bone strength, and which exercises do you recommend?
  8. Is hormone replacement therapy safe for preventing osteoporosis?
  9. What osteoporosis medications are available that prevent bone loss?
  10. What are some other lifestyle changes I should make now to keep my bones strong?
  11. What does my T-score mean? (A T-score is the result of a bone density test.)

Show Sources

SOURCES:

International Osteoporosis Foundation: ''Why do People Shrink?''

FamilyDoctor.org: ''Osteoporosis and Fracture/Once is Enough: A Guide to Preventing Fractures.''

American College of Rheumatology: ''Osteoporosis: Warning Signs and Diagnosis.''

MedlinePlus: "Osteoporosis."

MayoClinic.com: "Bone density test: Measure your risk of osteoporosis."

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: "Osteoporosis: Peak Bone Mass in Women."

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: "Screening for Osteoporosis."

National Osteoporosis Foundation: "Facts on Osteoporosis."

McIlwain, H, MD, and Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD, Reversing Osteopenia: The Definitive Guide to Recognizing and Treating Early Bone Loss in Women of All Ages, Henry Holt, 2004.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info