Because checking for bone mineral density is not exactly one of the most popular tests nowadays, most people can suffer from osteoporosis for years on end without being aware of it. In most cases, patients find out that they have osteoporosis only after breaking a bone.
Treatment for osteoporosis is necessary after a proper diagnosis by a specialized healthcare provider. You may not have osteoporosis yet but could suffer from osteopenia, which is a precursor and it can be detected by measuring the bone mineral density or BMD. Your doctor will also perform some blood tests and may recommend treatment depending on the results.