​​​GETTING STARTED
 

Is telehealth hormone therapy legitimate?

Yes. I'm a licensed, board-certified nurse practitioner in Arizona, and telehealth visits for hormone therapy are fully legal. Labs are still draen in person at a local facility, so your care is backed by real diagnostic data, not guesswork over video. ​

Who is hormone therapy for?
Hormone therapy is for women dealing with symptoms tied to perimenopause or menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, low libido, trouble sleeping. If your hormones are shifting and it’s affecting your daily life, it’s worth talking through.

Do I need to already be in menopause?
No. Plenty of patients start during perimenopause, before periods have even stopped, once symptoms start getting in the way.

Can I start treatment during perimenopause
Yes, and honestly this is one of the most common times to start. Perimenopause symptoms can be some of the most disruptive, and they’re often the least talked about.

What happens during my first appointment?
We talk through your symptoms, your health history, your goals, and review any labs you have. From there we build a plan together. It’s a conversation, not a checklist.

Do I need labs before my appointment?
Not always. Sometimes we order labs first so we have a full picture going in. Other times we start with a conversation and order labs after. I’ll tell you what makes sense for you.

How much do labs cost?
It depends on what’s ordered and whether you have insurance. I’ll walk you through expected costs before anything gets ordered so there are no surprises later.

Does insurance cover anything?
This practice is self-pay and doesn’t bill insurance directly. Depending on your plan, some labs or medications might be covered.

How often are follow-ups?
It depends on your plan, but most patients are seen more often in the first few months while we dial in dosing, then move to less frequent check-ins once things settle.

How long does treatment take to work?
It varies. Some people feel a difference within a few weeks. Others take longer, especially while we’re still adjusting dosing to find what actually works for you.

HORMONE THERAPY

What is menopausal hormone therapy?
Menopausal hormone therapy replaces hormones like estrogen and progesterone that drop off during perimenopause and menopause, helping ease the symptoms that come with that decline.

What are the benefits?
For a lot of women it helps with hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, mood, vaginal dryness, and just feeling more like themselves. Benefits look different for everyone, which is why treatment isn’t one size fits all.

What are the long term benefits?

Beyond symptom relief, hormone therapy can help protect bone density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis down the road. It also helps with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, things like vaginal dryness, discomfort, and urinary symptoms that tend to get worse over time if left untreated. There are other long term benefits too, and which ones matter most depends on your individual health picture, which is something we'd talk through together. 

What are the risks?
Like any medical treatment, there are risks, and they depend on your personal and family health history, your age, and the type of therapy we use. We’ll go through your specific risk factors together before starting anything.

Is hormone therapy safe?
For most healthy women, especially those starting within about 10 years of menopause, hormone therapy is considered safe and beneficial. Safety really comes down to your individual health history, which is exactly what we review before treatment starts.

Do I need progesterone if I have a uterus?
Women with a uterus who take estrogen also need progesterone to protect the uterine lining. We’ll confirm what’s right for you based on your history.

Do women need testosterone?
Some do. It can help with libido or energy, but it’s not necessary for everyone. We’d figure this out together based on your symptoms and labs.

What about bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are structurally the same as the hormones your body already makes. I use bioidentical options as part of a personalized plan when it makes sense.

What if I’ve had a hysterectomy?
Treatment can look different depending on whether your ovaries were removed along with your uterus. We’ll build your plan around your specific surgical history.

Can hormone therapy help with sleep?
Often, yes. Sleep issues tied to hormonal changes tend to improve with treatment, though sleep can have more than one cause, so we’ll look at the full picture, not just hormones.

Can hormone therapy help with libido?
It can. Low libido during perimenopause and menopause is often hormone related, and treatment, sometimes including testosterone, can help depending on what’s actually going on.

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Do I need to already be in menopause to make an appointment?

No. Perimenopause can begin years before your final menstrual period, and symptoms can appear during this transition. We'll look at your individual symptoms and history to determine the appropriate next steps. 

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Do I need lab work before my first appointment?

Not necessarily. Whether testing is appropriate depends on your symptoms, history, medications, and individual circumstances. 

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Is hormone therapy right for everyone?

No. Hormone therapy isn't appropriate for everyone, and the potential benefits and risks need to be considered individually. We'll discuss whether it's appropriate for you based on your health history and goals. 

LOGISTICS
 

Do you prescribe medication?
Yes. As a board certified nurse practitioner, I can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan.

Which pharmacies can you use?
Prescriptions can go to whichever pharmacy you prefer, whether that’s a standard retail pharmacy or a compounding pharmacy, depending on what your plan calls for.

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How do labs work?

You'll get an order to a local draw site near you. 

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How do I get my medication?

Prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy of your choice. 

Do I have to live in Arizona?
You need to be physically in Arizona for your appointments, per state licensing rules, but you don’t have to be a permanent resident.

Do I have to be physically in Arizona during appointments?
Yes, for every visit, including follow-ups. That’s a state telehealth requirement, not a preference.

How does telehealth work?
Visits are conducted through Doxy.me, a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform built specifically for telehealth. You don't need to download anything or create an account. I will send you a private link before your appointment, and you simply click to join from your phone, tablet, or computer. 

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Do you accept insurance?

No. Visits are cash pay only. Insurance can be used to cover the cost of labs and for medications but this depends on your specific insurance coverage and plan. 

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How much does treatment cost?

The comprehensive initial visit is $175 and follow up visits are $75. Your complimentary 15-minute consultation is free. 

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How often will I need follow up visits?

That depends on your treatment plan and individual needs. We'll recommend an appropriate follow up schedule and adjust it over time. 

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Can I still make an appointment if I am not sure hormone therapy is right for me?

Absolutely. You don't need to arrive with a diagnosis or treatment plan. The first step is simply understanding what's happening and discussing your options.