Methodology
How We Evaluate Treatments
Every recommendation on this site carries an evidence tier label. This page explains what those tiers mean, how we select affiliate partners, who reviews our assessments, and — critically — what we do not do.
Grounded in current menopause research and clinical guidance from leading medical organizations.
Evidence Reviewed By
Michael Peters, MD
Retired · Medical Reviewer, Menopossy
The Four Evidence Tiers
Not all evidence is created equal. These four tiers are the framework we use to classify every intervention, supplement, and service we reference on this site. The tier appears on every affiliate block — at the point of recommendation, not buried in fine print.
RCT data or meta-analysis supporting the intervention. The gold standard. Randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews with consistent findings across multiple studies.
Example: FDA-approved hormone therapy for vasomotor symptoms. Multiple large-scale RCTs confirm efficacy and safety profile in appropriate populations.
Observational data or mechanistic rationale with limited RCT support. Biologically plausible, with real-world data supporting use — but the definitive trial hasn't been run yet.
Example: Telehealth menopause platforms. The care model is supported by clinical evidence; the platform delivery mechanism is emerging as the standard of care.
Theoretical basis; no direct RCT evidence in this population. The mechanism makes biological sense, but the clinical trial data in perimenopausal women specifically is limited or absent.
Example: Certain cognitive supplements with preclinical or general-population data. Mechanistically sound; population-specific evidence is still accumulating.
No clinical trial data; included based on practitioner consensus or traditional use with a long safety record. We include Tier 4 items only when the safety profile is well-established and the practitioner consensus is strong.
Example: Certain herbal preparations with centuries of documented use and no significant safety signals in the literature.
How We Select Affiliate Partners
Menopossy earns commissions on some of the products and services we recommend. That is the business model. Here is how we make sure it does not compromise the editorial standard.
Evidence standard first
A product or service must meet a minimum evidence threshold before we consider it for recommendation. Commercial relationships do not lower that threshold. We do not recommend products because they have affiliate programs.
Transparent tier labeling
Every affiliate block on this site carries an evidence tier label. Tier 1 is not the same as Tier 3. We show you the difference — every time, at the point of recommendation.
Disclosure at point of recommendation
Affiliate relationships are disclosed inline, above the first affiliate block in every article. Not buried in a footer. Not hidden in a policy page. At the point where you are making a decision.
No prescriptive dosing
We do not recommend specific doses, schedules, or treatment protocols. Evidence tier labels reflect the research category — not a clinical prescription.
Independent editorial position
Affiliate commissions do not influence editorial assessments. If a partner's evidence tier changes, the label changes — regardless of the commercial relationship.
What Menopossy Does Not Do
This is not a medical practice. Franky Wilder is not a physician. The content on this site is educational — it translates clinical research into language that is useful to analytically minded women who are done being dismissed. It is not a substitute for individualized medical care.
Menopossy does not:
Diagnose any medical condition
Recommend specific treatments for individual cases
Prescribe medications or supplements
Provide specific dosing guidance
Replace the clinical judgment of a licensed physician
Constitute a doctor-patient relationship of any kind
If you are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, work performance, or safety, please consult a licensed healthcare provider. The Compare Providers page on this site lists telehealth platforms staffed by board-certified clinicians who specialize in menopause care.
Who Reviews Our Evidence Assessments
Evidence tier assignments are reviewed by Dr. Michael Peters, MD, a retired physician. Dr. Peters serves as Medical Reviewer for Menopossy in an editorial capacity. His role is to review the accuracy of clinical claims and the appropriateness of evidence tier classifications — not to provide medical advice to readers.
Evidence assessments are reviewed on a rolling basis and updated when new clinical data is published. The last full review of this page was completed in April 2026. Evidence tier labels on individual articles reflect the state of the research at the time of that article's last update.
If you believe an evidence tier classification is incorrect or outdated, we welcome the correction. The goal is accuracy — not the appearance of it.
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Reviewed by Michael Peters, MD
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