Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome!
I know navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health can feel overwhelming. My goal is to make this process easier, clearer, and a lot less confusing. Below are answers to the questions I’m asked most often—about hormones, symptoms, safety, care options, and how my direct-care practice works. If you don’t see your specific question here, just ask during your visit—I’m always happy to help.
⭐ Menopause, Perimenopause and Hormone Therapy
What is menopause?
Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods permanently stop and the ovaries stop producing sex hormones. The official medical definition is going 12 months without a period. The average age in the U.S. is 52.
Menopause is not just a “normal part of aging” that you have to endure alone—support and effective treatment options are available.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause (also called the “menopause transition”) is the time leading up to a woman’s final menstrual period. On average, it lasts about 4 years, but it can stretch 7–10 years in some women.
Because hormones fluctuate so dramatically, many women experience more disruptive symptoms during perimenopause than after menopause itself.
What symptoms can hormone therapy help with?
Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, recurrent UTIs, low libido, joint pain, and more.
We’ll decide together whether hormone therapy is right for you.
What is bioidentical hormone therapy?
The Menopause Society defines bioidentical hormones as those with the same chemical and molecular structure as the body’s natural hormones.
Bioidentical hormones do not have to be custom-compounded.
There are many FDA-approved, well-tested products available at regular pharmacies. These allow for safe, personalized dosing with quality control.
Is hormone therapy safe?
For most healthy women under age 60 and within 10 years of menopause, hormone therapy is considered safe and often very beneficial. We’ll review your individual health profile and goals before starting any treatment.
Who might not be a candidate for hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy isn’t right for everyone. Some medical conditions require extra caution or a different treatment approach. If you have a complex health history, we will review your situation together and decide what’s safest and most effective for you.
Menopause care is nuanced and highly individualized, and many people who assume they “can’t” use hormones actually can—safely—once we look at timing, type of hormone, dose, and your personal risk factors.
If hormone therapy isn’t the best option, I’ll guide you through other evidence-based choices.
Do you prescribe compounded hormone therapy?
I recommend FDA-approved hormone therapy as first-line treatment whenever possible.
Compounded therapy may be used in specific situations—especially for testosterone, since no FDA-approved testosterone exists for women.
Do you prescribe testosterone?
Yes. When clinically appropriate, I prescribe testosterone using evidence-based dosing and monitoring. We’ll review symptoms, risks, and labs before starting therapy.
Do you offer hormone pellets?
No. Pellets are not FDA-approved and carry safety concerns.
If you’re currently using pellets, I can help you transition to safer, evidence-based options—judgment-free.
⭐ Sexual Health, Gynecology and Breast Cancer Survivorship
Can you help with low libido, vaginal dryness, or pain with sex?
Yes. I’m a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), with advanced training in sexual health concerns, including low desire, vaginal dryness, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and pain with sex.
I’ve had breast cancer. Can you still help with menopause symptoms?
Yes. I offer specialized menopause care for women during or after breast cancer treatment, including non-hormonal options and an individualized discussion of what’s appropriate for you.
Do you treat gynecology problems, or only menopause?
Both. I manage abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, PMOS (formally called PCOS), PMS/PMDD, contraception, and preventive care. I also do in-office procedures like IUD and Nexplanon placement and endometrial biopsy.
⭐ Visits, Insurance and Finding Us
How often are follow-up visits needed?
Follow-up care is customized. In general:
Every 6–12 weeks while finding your ideal dose
Then every 6–12 months once stable
Do you accept insurance?
No. Elevated Menopause Care is a direct-care practice.
This allows me to offer:
Longer visits
Personalized treatment plans
Transparent pricing
Easy access to your doctor
You can still use insurance for labs and medications. We accept HSA and FSA cards, and superbills are available for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Can you see Medicare or Medicaid patients if they want to pay out of pocket?
Unfortunately, no. Federal law prohibits Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries from paying out of pocket for services these programs typically cover. This is a legal requirement, not a practice preference.
Where are you located, and who do you see?
My office is at 11160 Huron St. Suite 31, Northglenn, CO 80234. I see women from Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Boulder, and across the north Denver metro.
We’re in Building 11160, Suite 31. Our entrance is on the outside of the building, on the side facing away from Huron Street, opening onto the courtyard. Please don’t go in through the main atrium. Instead, walk around the building to the courtyard side and look for Suite 31.
How do I book an appointment?
Book Online Here. New patients usually start with a 90-minute consult for menopause or sexual health concerns, or a 60-minute consult for gynecology concerns.
How quickly will I hear back, and what if it’s urgent?
I’m a solo-physician practice and not available 24/7. Messages are answered during regular business hours, usually within [2–3] business days. For anything urgent, please go to urgent care or the emergency room, or call 911. Please don’t use messaging for urgent concerns.
⭐ Pricing & Membership
How much does a visit cost?
A 90-minute new menopause, perimenopause, or sexual health consult is $450. A 60-minute new gynecology consult is $325. Follow-up visits (30 minutes) are $225, and a 10-minute physician phone visit is $100.
How much is membership, and what’s included?
Membership is $195/month. It includes a 90-minute new patient consult, unlimited follow-up visits, an annual wellness visit, direct messaging, priority scheduling, and 10% off in-office procedures. Membership starts with a six-month commitment, then continues month-to-month.
How do I choose between Pay-Per-Visit and Membership?
Pay-Per-Visit works well if you prefer occasional visits or need help with a specific issue. Membership is ideal if you want ongoing support, direct messaging, and unlimited visits. We’ll talk through both at your first visit so you can choose confidently.
Will my membership rate increase?
No. Members keep the rate they enrolled at for as long as their membership stays active.
If I cancel my membership, can I rejoin at my old rate?
No. Rejoining means enrolling at the current price, so keeping your membership active is the way to keep your rate.
Do labs, imaging, medications, and procedures cost extra?
Yes, they’re billed separately. Members get 10% off in-office procedures.
Do I receive a written summary after every visit?
Yes. Every appointment, Pay-Per-Visit or membership, includes a detailed written summary with personalized next steps and curated resources.