After menopause, I experience severe physical and mental symptoms that completely changed my life. Mentally, I became depressed and agitated. Physically, I was unable to be intimate with my husband, due to thinning vaginal tissue and dryness, causing pain and bleeding. I also experienced repeated urinary tract infections and yeast infections. It 'felt' as though my bladder and rectum were prolapsing, and I made an appointment to see a surgeon. I was unable to sleep at night. My body would soak my clothes and sheets with sweat. My tooth health suffered: my gums bled, for the first time in my life. My hair fell out in clumps, and I had heart palpitations that sent me to a cardiologist. I was anxious, exhausted, and miserable from dealing with all of these problems. My gynecologist would not prescribe hormones: she advised me to take over the counter remedies and change my diet. A friend told me of her experiences, and referred me to her hormone specialist. I began taking compounded hormones from a reputable compounding pharmacy. My symptoms were greatly diminished within weeks, and now, 8 years later, I cannot imagine my life without these medications that are so crucial to my mental and physical health. My doctor monitors me every three-four months, and adjusts medications as needed. I feel I am in competent hands, with both my doctor and compounding pharmacy working together to provide such individualized, personal care.