How we review
Every brand on this site is scored against a single rubric, then medically reviewed before we publish. This page is the source of truth for what those scores mean.
The 0–10 composite score
Each brand gets five sub-scores, 0–10, that we combine into a single composite. Sub-scores are visible on the brand page; the composite is shown everywhere we list the brand.
| Sub-score | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 20% | Starting price, transparency, hidden fees, insurance acceptance, HSA/FSA eligibility. |
| Clinical infrastructure | 25% | Credentialing of prescribing clinicians, NAMS certification, malpractice coverage, clinical partner reputation, in-house vs. outsourced. |
| Transparency | 20% | Clarity of pricing, treatment options, refund policy, what is and is not included. |
| User satisfaction | 20% | Trustpilot score and review count, BBB rating, our reading of Reddit / community sentiment. |
| Value for money | 15% | What you actually get for the price relative to the rest of the market. |
What disqualifies a brand
- Currently inactive, acquired-without-continuity, or closed
- Active FDA warning letter on file
- Compounding pharmacy partner without current 503A registration when required
- Failure to disclose clinical partner or prescribing model on request
Medical review
Every brand review is read by a board-certified clinician — see our medical advisors — before it goes live. Clinicians check for factual accuracy about hormones, medications, and prescribing models. They do not see, edit, or approve our affiliate relationships.
Each review carries a "Medically reviewed by" byline with a date. Updates re-trigger review; the date reflects the most recent clinician check, not the original publication date.
Brand verification protocol
Before publishing any review, we verify:
- The brand is currently operating (we place a real inquiry).
- FDA warning letter database — clean record at time of review.
- State availability as claimed (we spot-check against state telehealth registries).
- Pricing as advertised within the last 30 days.
- Affiliate program status (or marked "no affiliate").
- Compliance category — compliant / grey-zone / under review — assigned and dated.
Refresh cadence
Every brand carries a lastVerifiedDate. We re-verify every brand at least once per quarter. Brand pages older than 90 days display a notice and re-enter the review queue.
Independence
Affiliate commission has no input into the composite score. We do not accept payment for higher rankings, for inclusion in "best-of" lists, or for favorable framing. Brands without an affiliate program are scored on the same rubric and can rank above brands that pay us. See our affiliate disclosure.
Corrections
If you find a factual error in any review, contact us at editorial@hormonalhealthportal.com. We aim to respond within five business days. Material corrections are noted in the page footer; minor edits (typos, rewording) are not.