Frequently Asked Questions
About our practice
Why is Radiant Health for Women a direct-pay practice?
Direct-pay means you pay for services directly rather than billing through insurance. This allows us to focus entirely on your care without insurance company restrictions on what treatments we can offer or how much time we spend with you.
Direct-pay practices typically offer longer appointments, easier access to your provider, and more personalized care than traditional insurance-based models. You won't need a referral, and we can spend the time necessary to truly understand your symptoms and health goals without the constraints of insurance-driven visit limits.
Can I still use my insurance for labs, imaging, or prescriptions?
Yes. While our office visits are direct-pay, you can typically use your insurance for laboratory tests, imaging studies, and prescription medications, provided that your insurance covers these services.
Do you accept Medicare?
Because of federal Medicare rules, we are not able to see or treat patients who are enrolled in Medicare, even if you wish to pay out-of-pocket. We know this may be disappointing and we encourage Medicare beneficiaries to seek care with providers who are able to bill Medicare directly.
Do you provide telehealth services?
Yes! We are currently serving patients throughout the state of Colorado. We are seeing patients in person at our Boulder location.
What does your process of care look like?
Why are services offered as a membership?
Services at Radiant Health for Women are offered as a membership to foster a more connected, consistent, and comprehensive approach to your health. Rather than paying per visit or navigating the limitations of insurance, membership provides ongoing access to care, education, and support throughout your midlife journey.
This model allows for deeper relationships, more responsive communication, and proactive, individualized treatment planning—all designed to help you feel your best, not just check boxes. It’s care that works with your life, not around a billing code
Do you order lab tests?
Most treatment will be guided by your symptoms, but lab review is an integral part of your health and care. If you have had recent bloodwork performed in the past 12 months, you may bring a printed copy of those results to your first visit for review. Any additional recommended lab tests will be ordered as indicated. Cost of lab tests can be paid cash directly to the lab or you may use your insurance coverage if you prefer.
Do you treat men?
Yes, we treat men for weight management, but not hormone therapy.
What is your cancellation policy?
We kindly request at least 24 hours’ notice for any appointment changes or cancellations. No shows, or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, will incur a $100 cancellation fee.
Please note, in person visits can easily be converted to telemedicine if needed.
What are your rates?
Perimenopause and Menopause
The following questions are linked to our Symptoms webpage where they are answered in more detail:
Hormone Replacement Therapy
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
HRT also known as Menopause Hormone Therapy is a treatment that replaces the hormones your body stops making effectively during perimenopause and menopause. These hormones are estrogen, progesterone and sometimes testosterone.
During this transition, your ovaries stop producing their usual levels of hormones. This change in hormones causes the symptoms many women experience such as: hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.
Hormone Replacement Therapy works by replenishing some of the hormones back, which can help alleviate many of these symptoms. HRT can also serve to protect many of the body systems from the harmful effects of sudden hormone decline.
What types of HRT do you offer?
We prioritize options that allow for personalized dosing, such as:
Transdermal: Patches, creams, or gels absorbed through the skin.
Oral: Capsules or tablets.
Vaginal: Targeted local treatment for dryness.
Note on Pellets: We do not use hormone pellets because their dosing is often stronger than medically indicated and crucially, the dose cannot be adjusted once they are inserted. We prefer flexible options that we can fine-tune to optimize your treatment and well being.
What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones that your body naturally produces. At Radiant Health, we primarily prescribe bioidentical hormones because their structure closely matches the hormones your body makes, making them easier to balance and customize for your unique needs.
While bioidentical hormones are our first choice for many patients, we also prescribe traditional, synthetic FDA-approved hormones when they may be more appropriate. These may differ slightly from your body’s natural hormones but can still safely and effectively manage symptoms.
Every patient’s hormone needs are unique, so we carefully review your symptoms, lab results, and health history to determine the most suitable type, dose, and delivery method. Our goal is to help you feel like yourself again — energized, balanced, and confident.
Do you prescribe FDA approved medications or compounded medications?
We prescribe many FDA approved medications for the treatment of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. Most commonly these medications will be both bioidentical and generic for cost effectiveness. Sometimes a compounded product will be prescribed based on medical need. You may use your insurance to purchase prescriptions directly from a commercial pharmacy or pay cash through a discount pharmacy or compounded pharmacy.
Is hormone therapy safe?
You may have heard some old concerns about hormone therapy that still circulate around the medical community. Many of these concerns came from a large study called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), which made headlines in 2002. However, we've learned a lot since then.
The original WHI study included many women in their 60s and 70s who had already been estrogen-deficient for 10+ years. The study also only addressed women using oral estrogen attained from the urine of pregnant horses. Today Women have access to much safer forms of estrogen, like bio-identical estradial and transdermal applications. When researchers looked more closely at younger women using more modern estrogen sources, the picture was much more reassuring.
The research now shows that for women under 60 or within 10 years of their final menstrual period:
Hormone therapy effectively relieves many menopausal symptoms
The risks are quite low for healthy women without certain medical conditions
There are possible benefits for heart health and overall mortality when started early
Bone protection is a well-established benefit
In some rare cases, there are women who do present with potential risk factors. Your provider will do a thorough assessment of your personal and family history to determine whether or not HRT is appropriate for you.
Are there non-hormonal options?
Absolutely. If systemic HRT isn't right for you, there are many other non-hormonal medications that are effective at alleviating symptoms of menopause. Your provider will help you determine the best course for you based on your symptoms and preferences.
Sexual Health Care
What if I've lost interest in sex? Can hormone therapy help?
Loss of sexual desire is common during menopause and can have multiple causes, including hormonal changes, stress, fatigue, relationship factors, or discomfort during sex. Treatments to improve sexual desire may include addressing vaginal symptoms, lifestyle strategies, counseling, and in some cases, hormone therapy such as low-dose testosterone cream. Your provider will help determine the approach that is most effective for you.
What treatments are available for vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is common during perimenopause and menopause. Treatments include:
vaginal moisturizers used regularly
lubricants for sexual activity
low-dose vaginal estrogen (cream, tablet, or ring)
vaginal DHEA
oral ospemifene
These options are highly effective and can restore comfort and intimacy.
Is vaginal estrogen safe?
Low-dose vaginal estrogen has minimal absorption into the bloodstream and is considered safe for most women, including many breast cancer survivors. Your provider will review your personal and family health history to determine what’s best for you.
Is testosterone therapy safe for women?
All women naturally produce testosterone, though at lower levels than men. When prescribed, testosterone is applied via cream, typically to local areas, but its effect is systemic to boost libido. Levels are carefully monitored, and patients’ baseline hormone levels are evaluated before starting treatment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Are there non-hormonal options for sexual symptoms?
Yes. Lubricants, moisturizers, and certain non-hormonal medications can help with dryness, discomfort, and libido changes. These may be combined with lifestyle strategies such as pelvic floor exercises or mindfulness techniques.
Can sexual health be affected by other menopause symptoms?
Absolutely. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances can all indirectly impact sexual desire and comfort. Treating these symptoms as part of a comprehensive approach can improve sexual health.
Are there lifestyle changes that can help?
Regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and open communication with your partner can all support sexual health. Small adjustments often make a meaningful difference alongside medical treatments.
Medically Supervised Weight Loss
Why is it so hard to lose weight during perimenopause and menopause?
It’s a common frustration in midlife: doing everything 'right' and still seeing the scale move upward. It's often due to the hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause which can affect metabolism, body composition, appetite, sleep, and insulin sensitivity.
Many women notice that fat storage shifts toward the abdomen, muscle mass gradually declines, and metabolism slows. At the same time, sleep disruption, stress, and changing hormone levels can increase hunger and make it harder for the body to regulate weight. As a result, weight loss strategies that worked earlier in life may become less effective during midlife.
A personalized treatment plan with a medical professional here in Boulder can help address these changes.
Why does perimenopause and menopause weight gain often occur in the belly?
Many women notice that their belly becomes more prominent during midlife. This occurs because declining estrogen levels change where the body tends to store fat.
Before menopause, fat storage tends to occur in the hips and thighs, but after menopause it shifts toward the abdomen. This type of fat—called visceral fat—surrounds internal organs and is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
Addressing abdominal weight gain during menopause is not only about appearance; it can also improve long-term metabolic health.
What does a medically supervised weight loss program include?
Our weight loss program encompasses a comprehensive, medical approach. Treatment may include:
Personalized nutrition guidance
Physical activity recommendations
Behavioral strategies
Metabolic evaluation
Weight-loss medications (when appropriate)
Plans are tailored to each patient’s health history, goals, and stage of life, including the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause. We are proud to support women seeking weight loss from Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette and Louisville/Superior.
How do GLP-1 weight-loss medications work?
GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound are once-weekly injections that mimic a natural hormone your body releases after eating called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).
This hormone helps regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar. Because these medications work with your body’s natural appetite signals, many patients find that eating less feels more natural and sustainable, which helps reduce weight.
Can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) help with weight loss?
HRT is not primarily a weight-loss treatment, but research shows it can support healthier body composition during menopause. Studies suggest that women using HRT tend to have less abdominal fat accumulation and smaller increases in waist circumference compared with non-users.
By improving sleep, supporting muscle mass, and influencing fat distribution, hormone therapy may make it easier for some women to maintain a healthy weight when combined with nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
GLP-1 medications can generally be used safely alongside HRT, and the two treatments may have complementary metabolic effects. Your full medication list is always reviewed to ensure your treatment plan is safe and appropriate.
Are GLP-1 weight-loss medications safe and what are the side effects?
FDA approved GLP-1 medications have been studied extensively and are considered safe and effective when prescribed and monitored by a qualified medical professional. We carefully review your medical history and health goals to determine whether medication is appropriate and monitor your progress to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
The most common side effects of GLP-1s are digestive in nature and often occur when starting the medication or increasing the dose:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation
Vomiting
Stomach discomfort
Less common side effects may include fatigue, headache, heartburn, or temporary hair loss. To minimize side effects, we typically start with a low dose and increase gradually, while providing guidance on nutrition and hydration.
Will I lose muscle along with fat?
Some loss of muscle can occur with any significant weight loss, whether from medication, diet, or surgery. However, there are effective ways to protect muscle during weight loss. Strategies include:
Strength training 2–3 times per week
Adequate protein intake
Gradual, steady weight loss
This is especially important for women in midlife, because muscle mass naturally declines with age and menopause. Maintaining muscle supports metabolism, bone health, balance, and long-term function. Your treatment plan includes guidance on exercise and nutrition to help you preserve muscle while losing the fat.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Many patients lose 5–15% of their body weight, depending on their starting point and treatment plan. Behavioral interventions alone typically achieve 5–10% and GLP-1 drugs can produce approximately 8–21% weight loss depending on the medication. Most weight loss occurs during the first 6–12 months of treatment, then stabilizes as the body reaches a new steady weight. We set realistic, personalized goals and monitor your progress together.
Will I regain weight if I stop weight-loss medication, and how long do I need to take it?
Research shows that when medications such as Wegovy or Zepbound are stopped, people often regain a portion of the weight they lost because the body naturally increases hunger and slows metabolism.
Weight gain is now understood as a chronic metabolic condition, similar to high blood pressure or diabetes. Because of this, patients often benefit from ongoing treatment to maintain results, though some patients are able to taper doses effectively. Options may include:
Long-term medication for weight maintenance
Transitioning to a lower maintenance dose
Transitioning to a different weight loss medication
Gradually stopping medication after sustainable lifestyle habits are established
We work together to develop the long-term strategy that best supports your health goals.
What are the differences between Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound?
All of these medications are GLP-1–based therapies, but they have different FDA-approved uses and thus different insurance coverages:
Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and are typically covered by insurance for diabetic patients.
Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for weight loss and are often excluded from insurance coverage plans.
Before starting any medical weight loss program, it's best to contact your insurance company and inquire about which weight loss medications are covered by your plan.