Bone mass measurement for premenopausal women.

Bone mass measurement is a useful tool in determining the risk of fracture. However, there are questions about whether or not bone mass measurement should be used in premenopausal women. Part of the problem concerns the issue of whether or not bone mass or bone density falls prior to menopause. Significant prospective data are still being gathered on this issue, which is hotly debated. In addition, even if there is a loss of bone density prior to menopause, it is not evident what clinical strategy would result from the measurement. At present, therefore, it seems prudent only to measure bone mass of women who have significantly impaired ovarian function or who are approaching menopause.