Advocacy4 min read

Questions to Ask Before Starting a New Medication

Before you fill that prescription, make sure you have the answers to these important questions.

Maleia Tumolo

May 1, 2026

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You should always ask these questions

Being prescribed a new medication can feel overwhelming, especially if it happens quickly at the end of an appointment. Here are the questions every woman should feel empowered to ask before saying yes.

The essential questions

About the medication:

What is this medication and why are you recommending it for me specifically?

How does it work?

What are the most common side effects?

Are there any serious side effects I should watch for?

How long will I need to be on it?

About your situation:

Is there a non-medication approach we should try first?

Does this interact with anything else I'm currently taking?

Are there any foods, supplements, or activities I should avoid while on this?

Will this affect my hormones, cycle, or fertility?

About monitoring:

How will we know if it's working?

What does success look like?

When should I follow up?

What should I do if I have a bad reaction?

About alternatives:

Are there other medications that work differently?

Is there a generic version?

What happens if I decide not to take it?

It's okay to ask for time

If you feel pressured to decide in the moment, you are allowed to say: *"Can I take a day to think about this and do some research?"*

A good provider will say yes.

You are a partner in your care. These questions are not challenging your doctor — they're helping you make an informed decision about your own body.

Want help putting this into practice?

A WHIN session with Maleia will help you apply everything in this article to your specific health situation.

Book a Session

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