What to expect: your first Allara medical visit

Summary

Your first Allara medical visit is about exploring your symptoms, concerns, and goals with your provider. Prior to the appointment, you’ll fill out an intake form to help your provider understand your health context, and help tailor the conversation to fit your needs. During the visit, your provider will:

• Ask you a few questions about your health, history, and wellness.
• They may also recommend lab tests and outline next steps based on your needs.

To make the most out of the appointment, it may be helpful to prepare a few key points that you’d like to bring up at the visit.

To schedule your first visit, log in to your Allara account or sign up to get started.

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At Allara, we’re dedicated to providing women with comprehensive, hormonal healthcare that goes beyond the basics. What does that mean? Typically, hormonal care can be a disjointed experience. Women often go from specialist to specialist looking for answers, leading to conflicting treatment plans, and a siloed view of systems that are actually connected. Hormonal healthcare should be inclusive of lifestyle and medical support systems, to care for the whole person. At Allara, we bring together women’s health specialists and Registered Dietitians to provide well-rounded care. Allara is designed to be a one-stop resource for women managing hormonal health concerns.

Our care model is built on discovery, planning, and ongoing care to help each patient get to know their health on a deeper level, while feeling supported through treating their symptoms and conditions. Our expert team of providers delivers compassionate, evidence-based care to patients on every step of their health journeys.  

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Your first Allara visit is a pivotal moment in your health journey. It’s an opportunity to talk through how you’ve been feeling, get to know your provider, and lay the groundwork for your treatment plan. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a hormonal health condition, or you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms, our providers are here to help you.

Here’s how you can make the most out of your first Allara care experience.

How to prepare for your first visit

You know your body best –  and this visit is the perfect time to share your knowledge. It’s helpful to come to the appointment prepared to tell your provider as much as you can about your health and wellness. Writing down a few of your main concerns to bring up may help you remember important details about your health, and get the most out of the visit. Here are some things to consider sharing:

• The symptoms that made you want to pursue care, when they started, and how often they occur
• Your daily schedule
• What you like to eat, and dietary restrictions
• How you’ve been sleeping
• When your last period was, how long it lasted, if they are regular or not, and any pain you experienced
• Your energy levels throughout the day
• Your exercise routines

Being ready to speak on these topics will help you and your provider get a clearer picture of your health. The great news is no detail is too small when it comes to your health! Your provider wants to get to know the whole you. The more that you share, the more insights your provider will have to help them give you the best care possible.

You can also prepare questions that you’d like to ask your provider. They can help you with questions like:

• Why am I so tired?
• Why am I always hungry?
• Is it normal to stop getting your period?
• Am I getting enough sleep?
• Why am I gaining weight?

Don’t be shy – your Allara team is here to answer any questions you may have, without judgement.

What to expect at your first Allara visit

Log in to your Allara account a few minutes before the visit. On your dashboard under the “To Do” section, you’ll see a button that lets you join your appointment. Click on the button, and you’ll be led to the appointment.

At your first visit, your provider is focussed on learning about you. You’ll have the full allotted time with your provider to dive into your concerns, symptoms, and goals. They’ll also ask you some questions to make sure they’re gaining an understanding of your health.

Here are some questions your provider may ask:

• What brings you in today?
• When did you first notice your symptoms?
• Do you have a regular period?
• What do you like to eat on a normal day?
• Do you take any prescription medications or supplements?
• How is your sleep?
• What are your energy levels throughout the day?

In this visit, your provider will take what they’ve learned about you, and recommend next steps tailored to your needs. They’ll explain what labs may be helpful, and what the results may reveal.

What you’ll leave the appointment with

After your first Allara visit, you should have a clear view on the next steps of your treatment plan. Your provider will prescribe comprehensive lab testing, based on your health profile and goals. When your labs are complete, you’ll check back in with your provider, who will guide you through the results and what they mean for your health.

Your provider will always be there for you – they’ll be a resource for any questions or concerns that you may have about your health and wellness.  

Your care is unique to you

Everyone’s experience with Allara will be different, because our care is tailored to each individual. Each of our providers is specialized in treating hormonal conditions, and excited to support you through your health journey. Your first visit with Allara is an exciting step in taking control of your hormonal health, and the steps that may help you feel better.