Real Answers for Real Women

FAQs

  • Functional medicine looks at the root causes of symptoms rather than just treating them. Instead of prescribing a pill for each problem, we explore how nutrition, hormones, lifestyle, stress, and genetics contribute to your overall health and build a personalized plan from there.

  • Yes! I offer virtual visits for women located in states where I’m licensed or authorized to practice. Contact me directly to confirm if I can work with you based on your location.

  • No. My practice is focused on hormone and functional health optimization, not primary or acute care. I recommend maintaining a relationship with a PCP for routine screenings, vaccinations, and urgent medical needs—we’ll complement, not replace, that care.

  • Absolutely. I encourage you to maintain relationships with your primary care provider for urgent care, screenings, and routine medical needs. My role is to support your hormone and metabolic health in a way that complements—not replaces—conventional care.

  • You’re not alone. Many of my patients have seen multiple providers and still don’t feel well. What’s different here is that I take time to listen, dig deeper with testing, and co-create a plan with you—not just hand you a prescription or generic advice. This is personalized, root-cause medicine.

  • I don’t rush. I don’t guess. I don’t give cookie-cutter protocols. I don’t push expensive therapies and treatment plans that don’t work. I never pressure! My practice is built on partnership, education, and personalization. You’ll walk away from every visit feeling heard, empowered, and with a clear plan you understand.

  • If you're experiencing fatigue, mood swings, poor sleep, brain fog, weight gain, low libido, irregular cycles, or just a general sense of "not feeling like yourself," hormones are likely involved. You don’t need to figure it out alone—our process helps uncover the real root causes while eliminating other causes.

  • Comprehensive lab testing is a key part of understanding your hormone and metabolic picture. Labs are not included in the visit price and are paid directly to the lab company at the time of service. Once you book your foundational consultation, I’ll guide you on what’s needed and where to get them.

  • I use comprehensive bloodwork panels for all BHRT patients as this is safest and standard of care. I also use specialty testing when appropriate, such as stool testing. Testing is tailored based on your symptoms and goals.

  • After your initial consultation and lab review, we’ll determine the best ongoing care package based on your goals. Packages include follow-up visits, messaging support, access to my protocols, and continued monitoring to help you get results. On a case-by-case basis I will approve fee for service.

  • Depending on your care package, you’ll have limited or unlimited secure messaging access for follow-up questions, accountability, and plan adjustments. This allows us to stay connected and responsive as your care evolves.

  • Many patients use HSA/FSA cards to pay for consultations, packages, and lab work. Be sure to check with your provider for specific eligibility and documentation requirements.

  • My commitment is to provide you with the highest quality, personalized care—care that goes beyond the rushed, one-size-fits-all model often dictated by insurance companies. By operating as a cash-pay practice, I’m able to spend the time you deserve during each visit, focus deeply on your unique health story, and tailor treatments specifically to your needs without unnecessary restrictions.

    This model also allows me to be transparent about costs, avoid hidden fees, and reduce the administrative burden that can delay your care.

    I can provide a superbill upon request that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, depending on your plan.

  • I understand that life happens and sometimes you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. To respect everyone’s time and ensure I can accommodate all patients, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling.

    • Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a fee of 50% of the scheduled visit cost.

    • No-shows or cancellations on the day of the appointment will be charged 100% of the visit fee.

    • This policy helps us maintain availability for all patients and provides fair compensation for reserved time.

    If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

  • Before your initial consultation, I recommend gathering any recent lab results, medication lists, and a summary of your health history. You’ll also complete intake forms that help me understand your goals and symptoms in depth. All forms must be completed before your visit.

  • If your recent labs (within the past 3 months) are thorough and relevant, I’m happy to review them during your foundational visit. However, many conventional labs don’t include the comprehensive hormone or metabolic markers I typically use, so we may need to order additional testing for a full picture which may delay your treatment plan.

  • Yes. This is one of the most common reasons women seek out functional medicine care. I go beyond standard ranges and look at optimal values, patterns, and how your symptoms align with your labs. We aim to treat the whole picture—not just the numbers.

  • The foundational consultation is required to establish care, but ongoing support is offered through structured care packages. This model allows for more effective follow-up, support, and results over time.

  • The goal of BHRT is to support your body through critical transitions like perimenopause and menopause, improve quality of life, and protect long-term health. Dosing is carefully monitored and adjusted over time, and for some, long-term use may offer continued benefits.

  • Comprehensive labs are reviewed at the start of care to establish a baseline, and then rechecked every 2–6 months depending on your treatment plan, symptoms, and hormone therapy (if applicable). Regular testing ensures that your care stays safe, effective, and personalized. Specialty lab testing is ordered as needed on a case-by-case basis.

  • I work primarily with adult women, but may consider older teens on a case-by-case basis—especially those struggling with PCOS or irregular cycles. Feel free to reach out to see if it’s a good fit.

  • Yes. Many women find weight loss difficult due to underlying hormone imbalances, blood sugar dysregulation, or chronic stress. My plans address these root issues to support healthy metabolism, sustainable fat loss, and energy restoration. If you’re looking specifically for medicated weight loss programs, I have referrals in the Fargo community that I strongly recommend.

  • While I am not a fertility specialist, many women see improvements in their cycles, ovulation, and overall reproductive health through the work we do together. By optimizing hormones, supporting gut and adrenal health, improving nutrition, and incorporating key supplements, we often see the body become more balanced and receptive to conception.

    That said, for more complex fertility cases—especially those requiring advanced reproductive technologies—I refer to trusted colleagues who specialize in fertility care. My role is to support your foundational health so you’re in the best position possible, whether conceiving naturally or working with a specialist.

  • Every woman’s journey is different. Some notice improvements within a few weeks, while others take a few months as we address deeper imbalances. My goal is to build a sustainable plan that supports long-term healing—not just quick fixes. For most BHRT patients, they experience improvements within 6 months.

  • It’s never “too late” to explore your options. While starting BHRT earlier (within 10 years of menopause) may offer the most protective benefits, many women still experience symptom relief, improved quality of life, and better long-term health outcomes when starting later. We’ll evaluate your health history and goals to determine the safest and most effective path forward.

  • Not always, but targeted supplementation can be incredibly helpful—especially when correcting deficiencies, supporting gut or adrenal health, or balancing hormones. I focus on high-quality, clinically relevant options and only recommend what’s truly necessary based on your labs and symptoms. My goal is to not overwhelm my patients and prioritized based on your individual needs.

  • At this time, I specialize in women's health and only offer services for female patients. If you're seeking support for a male partner or loved one, I’m happy to refer to trusted practitioners who focus on male hormone optimization.

  • Yes, when appropriate. While my focus is on addressing root causes through lifestyle, nutrition, and bioidentical hormones, I do prescribe medications when they’re necessary for safety or progress. Everything is personalized and discussed with you in detail.

  • Yes. In fact many patients come to be on BHRT but at very low doses. If you’re already on hormone therapy but feel like your plan needs refinement—or your symptoms aren’t improving—we’ll start with a foundational consultation and lab review to assess what’s working and where adjustments are needed.

  • That’s okay! Hormone therapy isn’t the only tool in the toolbox. If BHRT isn’t right for you—or you’re just not ready—we can use nutrition, botanicals, targeted supplements, and lifestyle strategies to support your body naturally.

  • While “adrenal fatigue” isn’t a formal diagnosis, HPA-axis dysfunction is real and measurable. I assess cortisol patterns and stress response as part of your hormone picture and offer support using nutrition, adaptogens, lifestyle shifts, and nervous system regulation.

  • Yes. Even without a uterus, your body still benefits from estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones play a role in brain function, bone health, cardiovascular protection, mood, and metabolism. We’ll personalize your plan based on your symptoms, age, and goals.

  • I work with both. In many cases, compounded bioidentical hormones offer the most personalized dosing options and delivery forms (like creams or troches). I’ll help guide you to trusted compounding pharmacies if that’s part of your plan, or use retail prescriptions when appropriate.

  • Current research shows that when bioidentical hormone therapy is used appropriately and individualized to your needs, it can actually be protective and improve quality of life. I carefully assess your personal and family history to recommend the safest approach.