Is Your Hard Work Paying Off?

Why Every Woman Should Consider a DEXA Scan This Summer

You strength train. You try to eat enough protein. You walk. You prioritize your health.

But here's the question…

How do you know if it's actually working?

Most of us rely on the bathroom scale. The problem? The scale only tells you how much you weigh—not what your body is made of.

You could be:

• 💪 Gaining muscle while losing fat (a great thing!)
• 🦴 Losing bone density without realizing it
• ⚠️ Carrying unhealthy visceral fat around your organs despite having a "normal" weight

The only way to know is to measure it.

That's where a DEXA scan comes in.

What Is a DEXA Scan?

DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is considered one of the most accurate ways to assess:

✅ Bone mineral density

✅ Lean muscle mass

✅ Body fat percentage

✅ Visceral fat (the fat around your organs)

The scan is painless, takes about 10–20 minutes, and exposes you to only a very small amount of radiation—less than many other common imaging tests.

Why Every Woman Should Consider One

During perimenopause and menopause, women can experience accelerated changes in body composition due to declining estrogen.

You may notice:

• Difficulty maintaining muscle
• Increased abdominal fat
• Bone loss
• Changes in metabolism

These changes often happen long before you notice symptoms.

A DEXA scan gives you a baseline so you can:

• Track the results of your strength training
• See whether you're eating enough protein to maintain muscle
• Detect early bone loss
• Understand your body beyond the number on the scale

Knowledge allows you to make smarter decisions—not guess.

What Does a DEXA Scan Cost?

Pricing varies depending on where you live and what is included, but most private body composition scans typically range between:

💰 $75–$200 USD in the United States

💰 $100–$250 CAD in Canada

Some clinics include a consultation to review your results, while others charge separately.

If you're having a DEXA scan ordered for osteoporosis screening through your healthcare provider and meet eligibility criteria, your insurance or provincial health plan may cover the bone density portion of the test. A full body composition scan is often paid out of pocket.

Where Can You Get One?

Many people are surprised to learn that DEXA scans are available outside of hospitals.

You can often find them at:

🏥 Imaging clinics

💪 Sports performance and human performance centers

🏋️ Exercise physiology and longevity clinics

🩺 Preventive health clinics

🎓 Some universities with kinesiology or sports medicine programs

If you're looking for a location near you, a quick online search for:

"DEXA scan near me"

or

"Body composition DEXA scan"

will usually provide several options.

Why Summer Is the Perfect Time

Let's be honest.

Once September arrives, life gets busy.

School starts.

Sports begin.

Work ramps up.

The holidays seem to appear overnight.

Summer often offers a little more flexibility to invest in yourself.

Getting a DEXA scan now gives you:

• A starting point before fall routines begin
• Time to make changes before year-end
• A way to measure progress after months of strength training or healthier eating

Think of it as your health report card—one that helps guide your next steps.

At PAUZ, We Believe in Measuring What Matters

We spend so much time focusing on weight.

Instead, let's focus on what really predicts healthy aging:

💪 Muscle

🦴 Bone

❤️ Metabolic health

These are the foundations that help us stay active, independent, and strong for decades to come.

If you're investing time in your health, make sure you know whether it's paying off.

This summer, give yourself the gift of knowledge. Your future self will thank you.

Ready to Learn More?

At PAUZ, we're passionate about helping women understand their bodies through every stage of life. If you have questions about DEXA scans, strength training, protein intake, or protecting your bone and muscle health during perimenopause and menopause, we're here to help.

Because healthy aging isn't about guessing—it's about having the right information to make confident decisions. 💜

Want more practical, evidence-based menopause education? Visit PAUZ Health for free resources and expert support.