Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor and has been writing about health, fitness, and science here since 2015. Beth was the recipient of the 2017 Carnegie Science Award in science ...

Are you due for a bone density test? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced updated osteoporosis screening guidelines on January 14, 2025. Women 65 years or older, or postmenopausal women ...

Dear Doctors: I just turned 65, and my doctor wants me to have a bone density test. What is it, and how does it work? Dear Reader: A bone mineral density test, or BMD, measures the strength of one’s ...

Q: I’ve never had a fracture or bone health issues. Should I still get a bone density test? A: It depends. A bone density test uses a low dose of X-rays in a quick, noninvasive way to measure the ...