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.
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.
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, 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.
⭐ Pricing & Membership
Why are prices changing on January 1?
As I transition into full-time practice and expand gynecologic services, pricing is being updated to support longer visits, more availability, and detailed written summaries after every appointment.
What does “grandfathered pricing” mean?
If you establish care before January 1, you keep the current pay-per-visit pricing for all of 2026.
If you’re already a member, you keep the $150/month membership rate indefinitely as long as membership remains active.
Will my membership rate increase?
No. Current members keep the $150/month rate permanently as long as they remain enrolled.
Is the initial consultation included in the membership?
Yes. Your initial visit counts as your first month of membership, so you aren't billed twice.
How do I choose between Pay-Per-Visit and Membership?
Pay-Per-Visit works well if you prefer occasional visits or need support with a specific issue.
Membership is ideal if you want ongoing support, direct messaging access, and unlimited visits.
We’ll discuss both options at your initial consultation so you can choose confidently.
Do the pricing changes affect labs, imaging, or procedures?
No. Labs, imaging, medications, and procedures remain separate.
Membership still includes discounted pricing on in-office procedures.
Do I receive a written summary after every visit?
Yes. Every appointment—whether Pay-Per-Visit or membership—includes a detailed written summary with personalized next steps and curated resources.
If I cancel my membership, can I rejoin at the old rate?
No. Restarting a membership means enrolling at the current price. If you want to keep the $150/month rate indefinitely, simply keep the membership active.
Do I need an Initial Consultation if I was Dr. Mendoza’s patient at Kaiser?
If you were seen within the past 12 months, you are considered established. Please book the Kaiser Transition Visit (40 minutes), which is billed at the standard extended follow-up rate.If it’s been more than 12 months or you’re addressing a new issue, please schedule an Initial Consultation.