I cannot understand why women are not followed for osteoporosis beginning at menopause to get a baseline and then retested annually. It used to be every five years. At my last annual check up I mentioned to my doctor I hadn’t had a dexascan in a while. She said we don’t test every 5 years any more. I was 70 at the time. Because I asked, she ordered one. My osteoporosis had progressed obviously and she wanted me to take one of the biophosphates. I didn’t want to do that due to side effects, one being possible fracture of the jaw. I’m currently taking a calcium supplement called Algaecal made from algae, a food source and absorbed better than the other calcium supplements. Additionally, I also exercise with ankle weights, climb stairs, walk and run and getting back to tennis. And incorporate as many high calcium foods as I can daily. I’m asking for another dexascan at my next annual.