A good provider welcomes these. A bad one gets vague. That contrast tells you most of what you need to know.
Reviewed by the Vial editorial team·Updated June 2026·3 min read
Before you start HRT, a handful of questions tell you most of what you need to know about a provider. You're not quizzing them to be difficult. You're checking whether the person prescribing you hormones is working from current evidence and will actually monitor you.
01
Is what you're prescribing FDA-approved or compounded?
Why it matters
They're regulated differently, and "compounded" can mean lighter oversight depending on the pharmacy.
◦ Watch for
A provider who can't say, or who waves it off as the same thing.
02
Which pharmacy fills it, and is it accredited?
Why it matters
Pharmacy oversight varies a lot, especially between 503A and 503B facilities. The name and accreditation are how you check the source.
◦ Watch for
“We use a partner” with no name. A real provider will tell you exactly who.
03
What’s my full monthly cost, all in?
Why it matters
The price on the homepage is usually the consult. Medication, labs, and shipping are often separate.
◦ Watch for
A single number that conveniently leaves out the rest.
04
What bloodwork do you run, and how often?
Why it matters
Dosing gets adjusted, especially in the first year, and monitoring is what keeps it safe.
◦ Watch for
No labs, or labs only at signup and never again.
05
Will I see the same clinician, or a different one each time?
Why it matters
Continuity matters when your dose is being tuned to how you actually feel.
◦ Watch for
A rotating cast and no one who knows your history.
06
Are you trained in menopause care specifically?
Why it matters
Most OB-GYN residencies still don’t include a standardized menopause curriculum, so the training isn’t a given.
◦ Watch for
Defensiveness, or “all our doctors handle it” without specifics.
Bottom Line
You don’t need every answer to be perfect. You need them to be answerable.
A provider who meets these questions straight on is showing you their record in real time.
One who dodges is doing the same thing, just in the other direction. That’s the signal worth trusting.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed clinician before starting any hormone therapy protocol. Vial surfaces compliance signals from public records and does not evaluate clinical safety or outcomes.