My First DEXA Scan: What I Wish Every South African Woman Knew Before 30.

A doctor and patient are talking.

If you’re a South African woman in your 20s or 30s, the last thing on your mind is bone health.

We’re busy building careers, families, side hustles, and trying to survive load shedding, fuel prices, and life.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Your bones don’t wait for old age to weaken; they start quietly changing long before you feel anything.

The moment everything shifted.

What a DEXA scan actually is (in real words).

A DEXA scan:

Measures bone strength.

Detects bone loss early.

Uses a very low-dose X-ray.

Takes about 10–20 minutes.

It is painless, no needles, and no tunnel.

Feels calmer than waiting at Home Affairs.

You lie down, breathe normally, and it scans your hip and spine.

That’s it.

Why younger women should think twice.

We grow up thinking osteoporosis only happens to older women — but bone density peaks at around 25–30.

After that, we slowly start losing what we’ve built.

And here’s the part that affects South African women specifically:

Lactose intolerance is common.

Many of us work indoors → low vitamin D.

Stress levels are sky-high.

Dieting before summer is normal.

Coffee replaces meals.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding can drain calcium.

We think pain means weakness — not a warning.

Every day moments we brush off.

Why a DEXA scan matters before symptoms.

Osteoporosis is silent.

No swelling.

No warning.

No pain — until a bone breaks.

A scan can help:

Catch bone loss early.

Prevent future fractures.

Protect mobility.

Guide lifestyle changes.

Give you a baseline for your 20s, 30s, and 40s.

We can start today.

You don’t need a full lifestyle overhaul.

Small choices build strong futures:

Walking or weight-bearing exercise

Sunlight in safe amounts.

Balanced eating — not crash diets.

Knowing your family history.

Ask for screening if you’re at high risk.

We plan for everything: weddings, babies, retirement, and medical aid.

But we never plan for our bones.

Don’t wait for a fracture to introduce you to your own body.