Medical Disclaimer

1. General Medical Disclaimer

The information provided on byaven.com and through ByAven's services is intended for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting, changing, or stopping any treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information you have read on this website.

ByAven does not provide medical diagnoses. All clinical decisions — including whether to prescribe treatment — are made exclusively by licensed, independent healthcare providers who use our platform. For information on how your health information is handled, see our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

2. No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Browsing this website, taking our quiz, or submitting a health intake form does not create a doctor-patient relationship. A provider-patient relationship is established only after:

• A licensed provider on the ByAven platform reviews your submitted health information
• The provider affirmatively accepts you as a patient and initiates a clinical consultation
• You receive and acknowledge a treatment plan from that provider

Until a formal provider-patient relationship is established, no information you share with ByAven constitutes a clinical consultation or creates any duty of care on the part of ByAven or its affiliated providers.

3. Nature of Telehealth Services

ByAven uses asynchronous telehealth — a model in which health information is collected electronically and reviewed by a provider without a real-time appointment. This model is effective for many menopause-related concerns but carries inherent limitations:

• Providers cannot perform physical examinations or observe you directly
• Some conditions may not be safely or appropriately managed via telehealth
• A provider may determine that in-person evaluation is necessary before prescribing
• Providers are only licensed in certain states and may be unable to serve patients outside those states
• A provider may exercise clinical judgment to decline prescribing for any reason
• Technology disruptions may delay communications between patients and providers

By using ByAven, you acknowledge these limitations and agree that telehealth may not be appropriate for all of your healthcare needs.

4. FDA Disclosures for Hormone Therapy

ESTROGENS AND COMBINATION ESTROGEN-PROGESTIN THERAPY MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF:

• CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS — including heart attack, stroke, and arterial thromboembolism
• VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM — deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)
• BREAST CANCER — risk may increase with duration of use and combination therapy
• ENDOMETRIAL CANCER — estrogen-alone use in women with a uterus increases risk; adding progestogen reduces this risk
• DEMENTIA — including possible increased risk in women aged 65 and older

In accordance with FDA guidance, providers should prescribe at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for each individual patient.

These risks are based on findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study and other research. Modern understanding of HRT risk is more nuanced — risk varies significantly by age, time since menopause, type of hormone, dose, and route of administration. Your provider will evaluate your individual risk profile.

5. Prescription Medication Risks

ALL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS CARRY RISKS. HORMONE THERAPY IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE.

Before any prescription is issued, the prescribing provider independently evaluates:

• Your complete medical and family history
• Your current medications and supplements
• Your individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and blood clots
• The potential benefits of treatment relative to your risks
• The most appropriate hormone type, dose, and delivery method

You may not receive a prescription if your provider determines that treatment would not be safe or appropriate for you. A provider declining to prescribe is an exercise of clinical judgment and does not constitute a denial of care.

If you are prescribed hormone therapy, follow your provider's instructions exactly. Do not share medications with others. Do not adjust doses without consulting your provider.

6. Compounded Medications Notice

Some treatment plans may include compounded medications — preparations made by a licensed compounding pharmacy based on an individual prescription. This applies most commonly to certain testosterone formulations for women.

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved drug products. Unlike commercially manufactured medications, compounded preparations have not undergone FDA review for safety, efficacy, or manufacturing quality. They are prepared on a per-prescription basis by licensed 503A compounding pharmacies.

ByAven works only with licensed compounding pharmacies. Your provider will explain if any component of your treatment plan is compounded and discuss what that means for your care.

7. Contraindications

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY IS CONTRAINDICATED AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IF YOU HAVE:

• A personal history of breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancers
• A history of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack
• Active liver disease or severely impaired liver function
• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding
• Known or suspected pregnancy
• Known or suspected estrogen- or progestogen-sensitive malignancy
• Severe or uncontrolled hypertension
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any component of the prescribed formulation

This is not an exhaustive list. Additional factors in your medical history may affect eligibility. Your provider conducts a comprehensive review before making any prescribing decision.

8. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Hormone replacement therapy formulations prescribed through ByAven are STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Do not use ByAven services if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive. If you become pregnant while using ByAven services, stop treatment immediately and contact your obstetrician or primary care physician.

Notify your ByAven provider immediately if your pregnancy status changes at any point during treatment.

9. Side Effects

Common Side Effects

The following side effects may occur, particularly during the initial adjustment period. They are often temporary:

• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Bloating or water retention
• Mood changes or irritability
• Headache or migraine
• Nausea
• Breakthrough or irregular vaginal bleeding
• Skin irritation at patch or cream application sites

Serious Side Effects — Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness (possible heart attack)
• Sudden shortness of breath (possible pulmonary embolism)
• Leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness (possible blood clot)
• Severe or sudden headache unlike your usual headaches
• Sudden vision loss or changes
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body (possible stroke)
• New breast lump or unusual breast changes
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Severe abdominal pain

Report any concerning side effects to your ByAven provider promptly through your account messaging. For urgent symptoms, seek emergency care first.

10. Drug Interactions

Hormone therapy may interact with other medications and supplements. Known interactions include, but are not limited to:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin) — estrogen may affect clotting and anticoagulant requirements
• Thyroid medications — estrogen can affect thyroid hormone levels and medication requirements
• Anticonvulsants (seizure medications) — may reduce hormone effectiveness
• Antibiotics and antifungals — certain agents may affect hormone metabolism
• St. John's Wort — herbal supplement that may significantly reduce hormone effectiveness
• Corticosteroids — may interact with hormone levels

Always provide your ByAven provider with a complete and current list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you take — including over-the-counter products. Failure to disclose all medications may result in unsafe prescribing decisions.

11. Lab Testing and Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring is an important part of safe hormone therapy. Your provider may recommend:

• Blood tests to evaluate hormone levels and other health markers
• Annual mammograms (in accordance with your age and risk profile)
• Regular pelvic exams and Pap smears as clinically appropriate
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Bone density testing (DXA scan) where indicated

Continued treatment through ByAven may depend on your compliance with recommended monitoring. Failure to complete recommended follow-up may result in your provider pausing or discontinuing treatment.

ByAven does not directly order or interpret lab results for you. Coordination of any required testing is your responsibility unless otherwise arranged through your provider.

12. Off-Label Use Disclosure

Some treatments prescribed through ByAven may represent off-label use — meaning use of an FDA-approved medication for a purpose, dose, or patient population not explicitly listed in its approved labeling.

Notably, testosterone therapy for women is not FDA-approved for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms in the United States. However, it is commonly used off-label based on clinical evidence, professional society guidance, and established practice in women's health. Your provider will discuss this with you if testosterone is recommended.

Off-label prescribing is a legal and common practice in medicine. Your provider will explain the evidence base for any off-label recommendation and obtain your informed consent.

13. Individual Results Vary

ByAven makes no guarantee of treatment efficacy. The effectiveness of hormone therapy varies based on many individual factors, including:

• Age and time since menopause onset
• Severity of symptoms at baseline
• Genetic factors affecting hormone metabolism
• Overall health status and comorbidities
• Adherence to the prescribed treatment plan
• Lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sleep, stress)

Some women may experience significant symptom relief; others may experience partial benefit; a minority may not respond to treatment. Adjustments to your plan — including changes to dose, formulation, or treatment type — may be necessary. There is no guarantee that any specific outcome will be achieved.

14. Not for Medical Emergencies

BYAVEN IS NOT AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE AND CANNOT RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not contact ByAven. Instead:

• Call 911 immediately
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room

ByAven providers and staff do not monitor platform messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Messages sent through the platform may not be reviewed promptly. Do not rely on ByAven for time-sensitive medical needs.

15. Mental Health Resources

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect mood and mental health. ByAven's services are not designed for mental health crisis intervention.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or are in immediate danger, please contact:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Emergency services: Call 911 if you are in immediate danger

ByAven strongly encourages all patients experiencing mood-related symptoms to discuss them with their provider and, when appropriate, seek the support of a licensed mental health professional.

16. When to Discontinue and Seek Care

STOP YOUR TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER OR CALL 911 IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness (possible deep vein thrombosis)
• Severe headache or migraine with visual disturbances
• Sudden vision loss or blurred vision
• Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg (possible stroke)
• A new breast lump or unusual breast changes
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Unexplained or unusual vaginal bleeding

For life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait to message your provider.

17. Reporting Adverse Events

You are encouraged to report any suspected adverse events related to your medications directly to the FDA's MedWatch program:

• Phone: 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088)
• Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch (FDA MedWatch Safety Reporting Portal)
• Mail: MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787

Please also report any adverse events or side effects to your ByAven provider through your account messaging so your treatment can be appropriately reviewed and adjusted.

18. Limitation of Reliance

ByAven services are designed to complement, not replace, your broader healthcare. We strongly encourage all patients to:

• Maintain an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician or OB-GYN for comprehensive healthcare
• Inform all your healthcare providers that you are receiving hormone therapy through ByAven
• Not rely solely on ByAven for all health concerns — seek in-person care when your symptoms warrant it
• Continue any recommended preventive screenings (mammograms, pelvic exams, colonoscopies, etc.)
• Contact ByAven if your health status changes significantly so your provider can reassess your treatment

ByAven is a specialized telehealth platform focused on hormone therapy for menopause. It is not a comprehensive primary care service.