Introduction: Osteoporosis and its consequent fractures is a major public health problem. Aim: To formulate a position statement on the use of bone densitometry in screening postmenopausal women for osteoporosis and in their management. Materials and methods: Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. Results and conclusions: Bone densitometry has an important role in screening postmenopausal women for osteoporosis. For higher sensitivity and specificity, there may be a stronger case for screening in later life, depending on the extent to which risk factors add to the value of bone mineral density tests. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.