QUICK REFERENCE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We know that navigating menopause care can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it's natural to have questions along the way.
To help make the process easier, we have compiled answers to some of the most common questions our team is asked about referrals, appointments, wait times, what to expect during your visits, and the services available at Milestone Menopause Centre of Southern Alberta.
Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and reassuring as possible. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please know that our team is always happy to help and support you throughout your journey with us.
GETTING STARTED
1. How do I get started?
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Ask your healthcare provider to send a referral (click here) to Milestone Menopause Centre.
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Join our waitlist. If you want to know where you are on the waiting list, please call our Referrals Specialist at 587-582-6586, select option 4
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When your name reaches the top of the list, a Milestone team member will personally contact you and guide you through the next steps.
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Your journey begins with a Comprehensive Midlife Health & Risk Assessment with one of our Registered Nurses.
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You will then meet with one of our Menopause Society Certified Physicians to review findings and develop an individualized care plan.
2. Do I need a referral?
Yes.
At this time, a referral is required to access services at Milestone.
Referrals are accepted from physicians, nurse practitioners and other regulated healthcare professionals. This helps support continuity of care and ensures that your menopause management is integrated with your overall health.
3. What is included in the Comprehensive Midlife Health & Risk Assessment?
Your care journey begins with a 60-minute in-person assessment with a Registered Nurse trained in menopause and midlife health.
Your assessment includes:
• Up to three hours of nursing review, risk assessment, care coordination and physician preparation.
• Review of your Netcare provincial electronic health record.
• Comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical history, medications, family history and health goals.
•Evaluation of more than 20 menopause and healthy aging symptoms.
•Assessment of sleep, mood, cognition, sexual health, pelvic health, bladder health, metabolic health and healthy aging concerns.
• Breast, bone and cardiovascular risk assessment.
• Use of 10+ validated assessment tools and questionnaires to guide care and monitor outcomes.
• Vital signs and anthropometric measurements.
• Collaborative in-person RN-physician review of every assessment.
• Individualized recommendations and care pathways.
Our goal is not simply to address menopause symptoms, but to support long-term health, function and healthy aging.
Following this assessment, you will meet with one of our Menopause Society Certified (MSCP) physicians to review findings and develop an individualized plan. Ongoing follow-up visits are arranged as needed.
4. How long are wait times?
With the expansion of our provider team and the opening of our purpose-built centre, we strive to ensure women are seen within six months whenever possible.
Urgently triaged referrals are seen within 3 months.
Wait times may vary based on referral volumes and clinical urgency.
FEES & COVERAGE
5. Is Milestone a private clinic?
No.
Milestone is not a private medical clinic.
Physician consultations and follow-up appointments are publicly funded through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
Some enhanced services, including the Comprehensive Midlife Health & Risk Assessment and optional allied health programs, are uninsured services and require an out-of-pocket investment.
6. Are physician appointments publicly funded?
Yes.
All physician consultations and follow-up appointments at Milestone are covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
There is no cost to patients for physician visits.
7. Why is there a fee for the Comprehensive Midlife Health & Risk Assessment?
Menopause affects much more than hot flashes. It can influence sleep, mood, cognition, sexual health, bladder health, bone health, cardiovascular health and overall quality of life.
The one-time assessment fee of $499 supports the nursing team, care coordination, infrastructure and systems required to provide comprehensive physician-led care.
Our goal is not only to relieve symptoms, but to support women's health, function and healthy aging through a coordinated and evidence-based approach.
8. Are allied health services covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans and Health Spending Accounts may reimburse eligible services.
Milestone's multidisciplinary team includes licensed and regulated healthcare professionals, and receipts are provided for eligible services that may be submitted to your private insurance plan, depending on your individual coverage.
This may include services provided by:
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Registered Nurses
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Physiotherapists
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Psychologists
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Counsellors
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Exercise professionals and other regulated healthcare providers
Women may choose to participate in optional allied health programs offered through Milestone's Centre of Excellence. These services are never required and are individualized based on each woman's needs and goals.
9. What if I cannot afford the assessment fee?
Milestone believes every woman deserves access to evidence-based menopause care. For women experiencing financial barriers, a Compassionate Access Program is available to help support access to assessment and care.
Funding for this program is supported through community donations, voluntary contributions from educational events, anonymous donors and Dr. Shafeena Premji's speaking honoraria.
Please contact our team for additional information.
MEDICAL CARE
10. What symptoms and conditions do you treat?
We care for women experiencing concerns related to perimenopause, menopause and healthy aging, including:
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Hot flashes and night sweats
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Sleep disturbances
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Mood changes and anxiety
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Brain fog and cognitive concerns
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Sexual health concerns
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Vaginal dryness and genitourinary syndrome of menopause
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Bladder symptoms
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Pelvic health concerns
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Weight and metabolic concerns
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Bone health and osteoporosis prevention
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Cardiovascular risk factors
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Premature ovarian insufficiency
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Surgical menopause
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Cancer survivorship
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Healthy aging concerns
11. Do you perform hormone testing?
Routine blood hormone testing, saliva testing and urine hormone testing are generally not required for the diagnosis or management of menopause and are not recommended by major menopause societies internationally.
Menopause is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and menstrual history.
12. Do you prescribe bioidentical hormones?
We prescribe evidence-based, Health Canada-approved hormone therapies.
We do not routinely recommend compounded hormones because they are not supported by major menopause societies and do not undergo the same quality control and safety standards as approved medications.
13. Do I have to take hormones?
No.
Hormone therapy is only one of many treatment options.
Care is individualized and may include lifestyle strategies, exercise, sleep interventions, pelvic health physiotherapy, psychological support, non-hormonal medications and other evidence-based therapies.
The best treatment plan is one that aligns with your symptoms, health history and goals.
ABOUT MILESTONE
14. What makes Milestone different?
Milestone was intentionally designed as a multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence model for menopause and midlife health.
Similar to programs developed for diabetes, cardiac rehabilitation and cancer survivorship, our model brings together physicians, nurses and allied health professionals to provide coordinated, evidence-based care.
Our goal is not simply to help women navigate menopause, but to support healthy aging and help prevent osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and age-related muscle loss.
15. Why was Milestone created?
Milestone was founded by Dr. Shafeena Premji after more than a decade of caring for women through menopause and witnessing the need for a more comprehensive model of care.
The Centre was created to demonstrate what evidence-based, multidisciplinary menopause care can look like within a publicly funded healthcare system and to serve as a model for the future of women's midlife health.
Guided in Evidence, Centred on You