FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this just a medication clinic?

No. Medication may be part of treatment for some patients, but CoreMD integrates physician assessment, metabolic review, behaviour change strategy, nutritional structure, and ongoing monitoring.

Will treatment be personalized?

Yes. Recommendations are based on the patient's medical history, risk profile, symptoms, treatment goals, and broader clinical context. No one-size-fits-all protocols.

Will I be followed after the first visit?

Yes. Structured follow-up and monitoring is a central feature. Better outcomes require continuity, not isolated consultations.

Do you help protect muscle during weight loss?

Yes. Weight loss should not come at the cost of nutritional collapse, functional decline, or unnecessary lean mass loss. This is a core part of our philosophy.

Can I discuss GLP-1 or other anti-obesity medications?

Yes. Medication options can be reviewed when appropriate, always within a broader medical framework and after individualized assessment.

Do you address behaviour and lifestyle, or only prescriptions?

Both. Biology matters, but behavioural architecture matters too. We align medical treatment with realistic behaviour change and long-term maintenance.

FAQs

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

TRT is a physician-supervised medical treatment designed to restore testosterone to healthy, optimal levels. It improves energy, libido, mood, muscle mass, cognition, sleep, and overall metabolic health.

Are injections painful or complicated?

Most patients find them easy after the first demonstration. You will receive step-by-step videos, clinical instructions, and weekly educational content inside the Patient Portal.

How does the TRT program work at CoreMD Clinic?

You complete an online medical form, complete baseline labs, meet with a licensed physician, and receive a personalized protocol. Medications are shipped discreetly to your home. Follow-up visits occur every 1–3 months depending on your plan.

Is TRT safe?

When monitored by a physician using proper labs, protocols, and dose adjustments, TRT is very safe. You receive continuous medical supervision and unlimited telemedicine support.

Do I need lab tests before starting TRT?

Yes. Baseline hormone panels are required before any prescription is approved. Ongoing labs are done every 3–6 months to ensure safety and optimal dosing.

Will I receive educational content about TRT?

Yes. Every patient receives bi-weekly physician-created educational videos and PDF guides inside the Patient Portal (LearnDash).
This includes:

• TRT technique guides

• Hormone optimization lessons

• Lifestyle recommendations

• Safety and monitoring modules

• Testosterone science explained in simple terms

How do follow-ups work?

You meet your CoreMD physician via telemedicine every 1–3 months depending on your membership tier. Additional visits can be booked anytime.

FAQs

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a highly effective, daily or event-based medication that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by up to 99% when taken correctly. It is safe, evidence-based, and recommended by major global health authorities.

How do I start?

Begin with a personalized risk assessment and lab tests at CoreMD.

Who is eligible for PrEP at CoreMD Clinic?

You may qualify for PrEP if you:

• Have sexual partners of unknown HIV status

• Engage in condomless sex

• Have multiple partners

• Have a partner living with HIV

• Use recreational drugs associated with higher sexual risk (chemsex)

• Have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months

• Are interested in maintaining full control and confidence in your sexual health

Eligibility is confirmed through a physician assessment and lab work.

Is my information safe?

Absolutely, all your data is kept confidential and secure.

How does the CoreMD PrEP Program work?

Step 1 — Book an Appointment

You schedule a virtual consultation through our website.

Step 2 — Receive a Lab Requisition

A blood and urine test requisition is emailed to you immediately after your appointment.

Step 3 — Complete Your Lab Work

Once you complete the tests, results come directly to your CoreMD physician.

Step 4 — Start PrEP (if eligible)

If all safety criteria are met, your prescription is sent to your preferred pharmacy.

Step 5 — Receive Bi-weekly Educational Material

Every 2 weeks you will receive:

• A physician-created PDF module (PrEP fundamentals, STI prevention, medication adherence, side effects, sexual health optimization, and more)

• Action steps and checklists to guide you through the program

Step 6 — Follow-Up Care

You are reassessed every:

• 3 months (HIV testing + STI screening + monitoring kidney function)

• More frequently if needed or if you have symptoms

This ensures safety, effectiveness, and optimal long-term use.

How does CoreMD support my journey?

CoreMD offers clear medical guidance, weekly health PDFs, and easy doctor access.

What does the PrEP educational program include?

Your membership includes a complete CoreMD Sexual Health Learning Pathway, delivered weekly to your patient portal:

✓ Bi-Weekly PDF modules

Each module covers essential topics:

• How PrEP works

• HIV and STI prevention

• Event-based vs. daily dosing

• Common side effects and how to manage them

• Understanding your lab results

• Navigating sexual health confidently

• PEP vs. PrEP

• Medication adherence strategies

• Relationship safety & communication

• Substance use and sexual health

• Travel considerations & international PrEP use

✓ Bi-weekly physician-led educational materials

Short, clear educational material that reinforce the week’s topic and explain:

• How your treatment works

• What to expect at follow-ups

• How to stay protected

• When to stop or restart medication

• When to seek medical advice

✓ Practical checklists and tools

• Travel PrEP checklist

• Monthly adherence calendar

• Sexual health self-monitoring guide

• “What to do if you miss a dose” guide

✓ Full access to your patient portal

All PDFs, videos, and resources remain available indefinitely.

What medications are used for PrEP?

Is PrEP safe?

Do I need to take PrEP every day?

In Canada, PrEP typically uses:

• Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF/FTC – Truvada or generics)

• Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF/FTC – Descovy)
  Note: Descovy for PrEP is off-label for cisgender women.

Your CoreMD physician will guide you to the safest option based on your labs and risk profile.

Yes. PrEP is extremely safe for most patients.
Before starting, we check:

• HIV status

• Kidney function

• Hepatitis B status

• STI screening

Ongoing monitoring ensures continued safety.

What are the common side effects?

How soon does PrEP start working?

There are two PrEP strategies:

1. Daily PrEP – preferred for most patients

2. Event-based PrEP (2-1-1 dosing) – for cisgender men who have sex with men
   (Not recommended for everyone; assessed case-by-case.)

Your physician will determine the best protocol for you.

Most people tolerate PrEP very well. Possible mild side effects include:

• Nausea

• Headache

• Abdominal discomfort

• Mild fatigue

These usually resolve in 1–2 weeks. Your weekly educational PDFs include guidance on managing side effects.

• Rectal tissue: ~7 days

• Vaginal tissue: ~21 days

• Blood: ~7 days

Your physician will explain timing based on your sexual practices.

What is included in the CoreMD PrEP Program?

Every membership includes:

• Physician-led initial consultation

• Personalized lab requisition

• Comprehensive baseline HIV/STI testing

• PrEP prescription (if eligible)

• Bi-Weekly PDF educational modules

• Unlimited access to your patient portal

• Quarterly follow-ups

• Ongoing messaging support for medical questions

• Evidence-based sexual health optimization

• Risk-reduction counselling

• Adherence support and monitoring

This is a complete, structured, evidence-based PrEP program, not a generic refill service.

What if I do not qualify for PrEP?

If your baseline labs show that PrEP is not appropriate or safe, you will:

• Receive a full explanation

• Be offered alternative prevention strategies

• Be guided on next steps (including PEP if relevant)

Is PrEP free in Canada?

Coverage varies by province and insurance plan.
Your CoreMD physician and administrative team will help you navigate:

• Public drug plans

• Private insurance

• Low-cost pharmacies

• Generic options

Do you offer discreet services?

Yes.
All visits are virtual, and prescriptions can be delivered to your home if you choose.
Your patient portal and communications are fully confidential and encrypted.

How often do I need blood work?

• At baseline

• At 3 months after starting

• Every 3 months thereafter while on PrEP

This ensures ongoing safety and HIV-test accuracy.

Can I stop and restart PrEP anytime?

Yes, but you must speak with your CoreMD physician to ensure:

• Proper HIV testing

• Appropriate restart timing

• Correct dosing strategy

Stopping and restarting without guidance may reduce effectiveness..

Common Questions

What is the CoreMD Hair Loss Treatment Program?

CoreMD Clinic provides a comprehensive, medically supervised program for men and women experiencing hair thinning, shedding, or early baldness.
The program includes:

• Evidence-based medications

• Scalp optimization protocols

• Nutritional and hormonal evaluation

• Bi-weekly educational PDFs and videos

• Ongoing follow-up with a Canadian-licensed physician

This is not a cosmetic program. It is true medical hair-loss management.

Who is a good candidate for this program?

You may benefit from the CoreMD Hair-Loss Program if you are experiencing:

• Receding hairline

• Thinning at the crown

• Widening part

• Increased shedding

• Family history of baldness

• Stress-related or illness-related hair loss

• Hormonal changes causing hair thinning

Your physician will determine the exact diagnosis and the best treatment option for you..

What conditions do you treat?

CoreMD Clinic manages:

• Androgenetic alopecia (male & female pattern baldness)

• Telogen effluvium (stress-related shedding)

• Post-COVID hair loss

• Perimenopausal/menopausal hair thinning

• Hair loss related to thyroid disorders, anemia, or deficiencies

• Medication-induced hair loss

We use a structured, medical approach to address both symptoms and underlying causes.

What treatments are offered at CoreMD Clinic?

Your treatment may include one or more of the following, depending on your diagnosis:

Medications

• Oral finasteride or dutasteride

• Topical finasteride/minoxidil compounded formulas

• Oral low-dose minoxidil

• Anti-androgen therapy for women (spironolactone)

Adjunctive Therapies

• Nutritional support

• Iron/ferritin optimization

• Hormonal evaluation

• Anti-inflammatory scalp care

• Stress-reduction and lifestyle optimization

Advanced Options

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)*

• Hair transplant referral (when necessary)*

  
  *Available depending on the clinic schedule and geographic region.

Your CoreMD physician will build a plan that is highly individualized.

1. Initial Assessment

You book a virtual consultation through the CoreMD website.
You receive an email with your baseline blood work requisition to evaluate hormones, thyroid function, ferritin, vitamin D, and other relevant markers.

2. Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

After reviewing your results, your physician creates a precise medical plan tailored to your needs.

3. Bi-Weekly Education Modules (PDF + Video)

Once you begin treatment, you receive:

• Every 2 weeks physician-designed PDF lesson

• bi-weekly short educational video explaining the topic in simple, practical language

• Actionable checklists for scalp care, medication adherence, and lifestyle habits

You have full access to the patient portal, where all videos and PDFs remain available at any time.

4. Monthly or Quarterly Follow-Ups

Depending on your treatment, you will be reassessed every 1 to 3 months to track progress and adjust your regimen.

What is included in the bi-weekly educational program?

Every 2 weeks, you will receive professional educational content, covering:

PDF Lessons

• How hair grows: cycles, phases, and why thinning occurs

• Understanding your diagnosis

• How minoxidil and finasteride truly work

• How to combine oral and topical treatments

• Nutrition and supplements for hair health

• How stress and sleep affect hair loss

• Scalp hygiene and inflammation reduction

• How to track progress (photographs, calendar tools)

• When shedding is normal vs. abnormal

• Myths and misinformation about hair loss

Bi-weekly Videos

Your CoreMD physician explains:

• How to use medications correctly

• Expected timelines and realistic results

• How long shedding phases last

• What to do if side effects occur

• When to escalate treatment

• When to consider PRP or transplant options

This structured curriculum keeps patients engaged, supported, and educated throughout the program.

How long does it take to see results?

Hair growth is slow and biological. Most patients see:

• Reduction in shedding: 6–12 weeks

• Early regrowth signals: 3–6 months

• Visible improvement: 6–12 months

• Best results: 12–18 months

The weekly educational program helps you understand every stage of the process.

What are the possible side effects?

Side effects depend on the medication chosen. These may include:

• Scalp irritation (topicals)

• Initial shedding phase

• Mild blood pressure changes (oral minoxidil)

• Sexual side effects (rare, related to finasteride)

Your physician will discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives in detail.
Your safety is always prioritized.

Are results permanent?

Hair loss is a chronic medical condition.
To maintain results, ongoing treatment is usually required.
Stopping therapy may result in gradual return to baseline over months.

The CoreMD program teaches how to maintain long-term stability and prevent relapse.

What is included in the CoreMD Hair Loss Program?

Your membership includes:

• Initial physician consultation

• Personalized lab requisition

• Full diagnostic evaluation

• Customized treatment plan

• Bi-weekly PDF education modules

• Bi-weekly educational videos

• Medication guidance and dose optimization

• Nutritional and hormonal assessment

• Access to your patient portal (videos + PDFs)

• Regular follow-ups every 1–3 months

• Support for refill management

• Long-term monitoring of progress

What if my hair loss is severe?

If you present advanced thinning or balding, we may recommend additional interventions such as:

• Combined therapy (oral + topical medications)

• PRP

• Referral for hair transplantation

The goal is to create the most effective, realistic plan for your specific case.

What if my lab work is abnormal?

If your blood work reveals treatable underlying conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, vitamin deficiencies, or hormonal imbalance those will be addressed before starting hair-specific medications.

Treating the root cause improves success rates dramatically.

How often do I need follow-up appointments?

Most patients are reviewed:

• At 1 month (optional, early support)

• Every 3 months for medication adjustments

• Every 6–12 months for full reassessment

Your physician will adjust the schedule to your needs.

How do I get started?

Simply:

1. Visit CoreMDClinic.ca

2. Book your virtual consultation

3. Receive and complete your lab requisition

4. Start your personalized treatment plan

5. Begin your weekly educational modules

Whats included on my membership?