I had taken oral estrogen for years after a complete hysterectomy in 1987. After lumpectomy and radiation for a very small non-invasive breast cancer in 2013, I refused letrozol and went to see Dr. Stephen Swanson in Lincoln, NE whom I knew, from a talk he had give after the results of the big study of post-menopausal estrogen, to be a strong advocate. I was having acute estrogen withdrawal symptoms. He told me he did not believe estrogen caused breast cancer, but that the compounded estrogens given as oral estrogen replacement therapy, were the culprits instead. Since oral estrogen passes through the digestive tract, it generates numerous metabolites, none of which have, or will be, tested individually. He prescribed pure estradiol applied as a patch and a compounded estradiol suppository, also of pure estradiol, which was less messy, better distributed, and less expensive by far than commercial estradiol cream. I have been using both, since 2013, have greatly benefited in both health and comfort, and, knock on wood for continuance, remained cancer free.

Seven years ago I was pre-menopausal but didn't realize it. I was struggling with very low energy, wasn't sleeping and became depressed. I had a teenager still at home who was struggling in school and he needed a mom who was at her best, not one that could barely make it through a day. I also run a business that provides the main income for our household. Normally, I embrace challenges and love to be stretched in the business world. But during this "dark" time I became despondent and didn't care about goals or growth in any form. I also lost desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I simply quit caring. My friend suggested I visit her clinic. I was introduced to bioidentical hormones as an option. My Nurse Practitioner educated me and gave me many choices. I chose cBHT. Through multiple tests, we worked together to find the right combination of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. I'm so grateful for the care I received and the options provided to me. I truly got my life back, my marriage and family are stronger and my business is growing due to the changes in my health because of cBHT. I have multiple friends who I have referred to the same clinic. We often talk about how grateful we are for cBHT options and how much it's affected our lives. Honestly, I fear what my life would be like without.

I urge the FDA to not restrict compounded hormone therapy. Because of my compounded hormone therapy I have been able to dial in the exact dosage my body needs to properly balance my hormones. With the compounded hormone therapy I've been able to finally eliminate the symptoms I've been struggling with for years.

I have only been taking compounded hormones for two months I can finally sleep soundly throughout the night after years of not being able to. I believe it is balancing my system and would hope this availability continues.

My hormone levels were at the lowest. I was physically and emotionally a mess. My doctor worked several months with me with natural supplements, but eventually we went with compounded hormones. It took several months for me to have a good quality of life and feel normal again without all the highs/lows emotionally and physically. I don't want to go back to such a negative quality of life.

Prior to using cBHT, I was using oral contraceptives for excessive menstrual bleeding that made me feel bloated, overweight, moody and overall unhealthy. I've been on cBHT for one year and I feel so much better. I have more energy, am losing weight, no more mood swings and my quality of life is better.

I was one of "those people" who said I would never use hormone replacement due to the cancer factor. My world came crashing down last December with extreme menopausal symptoms including recurrent UTIs, thin vaginal and urethral walls, could not have sex due to the pain, several extreme hot flashes a day lasting up to an hour and a half each, which made me nauseous, dizzy, and more. My physical symptoms affected my emotional health. My naturopath suggested estriol over estradiol for my cBHT and I have been taking it since January. Suffice it to say that life has vastly improved, both physically and emotionally for me, and my marriage relations have improved as well. As generally, we are living longer, and the women in my family live until near 100, I MUST be able to have continued access to my cBHT in order to live a healthy, vibrant, and productive life. Thank you for your consideration.

Bioidentical hormones have not only enhanced my life, but have allowed me to reduce my need for other healthcare by helping my body stay as healthy as possible as I age. This reduces the load on the entire healthcare system through supportive and preventive health practices.

Bioidentical hormones have really helped my life and helped me to stay healthy as I get older. This also helps reduce the demand on other healthcare services via preventive practice. Living a healthy life is not only good for me, but it really is a win for all. Please DO NOT restrict compound hormone therapies.

I sleep so much better! I have more energy!

I was having severe hot flashes all day long. It was terrible! Taking just a low dose of estrogen and progesterone have helped greatly. I cannot imagine not being able to access these medications! Please support me and millions of women who rely on these safe alternatives!

Before cBHT use, I had almost zero testosterone in my body. I am a female, but it greatly affected me. I didn't think clearly, had a hard time focusing on one thing, was scattered in my thoughts and therefore, my days were not purposeful. I felt anxious, was very passive and did not stand up for myself. My sex life with my husband of 28 years was diminished due to lack of feelings, lack of drive and pain during intercourse. I felt very discouraged. I had lost the joy of life. After beginning to use cBHT, I had increased confidence, spoke easily about my feelings and opinions, stood up for myself and beliefs, experienced an increase in sex-drive and therefore increased emotional satisfaction in my marriage. My outlook on life is very positive now, I feel healthy, look healthy and am healthy. The compound I take is testosterone/progesterone. What a wonderfully positive difference it has made in my life.

For years I suffered with debilitating hot flashes, often 2-3 per hour including during the night. I stopped going out of my home, I was exhausted, and years and years of traditional medical treatments were ineffective. Then I found my naturopath and after exhaustive tests, she prescribed compounded hormone therapy. The hot flashes stopped within days, my joints stopped aching, and I was able to finally sleep. Truly, I am not exaggerating, this has changed my life. I can not imagine going backwards. Please do not restrict the availability of this wonderful therapy option for me and likely millions of other women.

I started hormone replacement therapy in my 30's, in the form of contraceptive pills, to treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endometriosis. The treatment succeeded with the gynecological issues, but I was forced to stop treatment, due to adverse affects on my stomach lining which had become so inflamed that I was in terrible pain and unable to eat. My gynecologist then suggested an estrogen patch. This, too, was very effective for a time, but I quickly developed an intolerance to the patch, with severe allergic skin reaction. Upon cessation of the treatment, I experienced crippling effects of hormone imbalance, including extreme depression, panic attacks, heart arrhythmias and severe night sweats. My Naturopathic doctor then recommended trying bioidentical hormone replacement treatment. I have now been using the estradiol drops for about five years with NO side effects. When I tried to wean myself off the hormone, I experienced a resurgence of severe hot flashes, inability to concentrate, nervousness and depression. In short, hormone replacement therapy is essential to my well-being, and bioidentical hormones are the only treatment my system can tolerate. People like me, with multiple chemical sensitivities, and a tendency toward allergic reactions, require the most gentle and natural treatments available. I am so thankful to have this option available to me.

Being placed on oral estrogen due to insurance coverage gave me levels of estrogen toxicity. Taking my compounded estriol helps me sleep and takes away side effects of bladder irritability. It also helps me sleep which is CRITICAL to continue to work. I have the right to take what is healthy for me. I do not need FDA overreach and dictation to tell me how I should live my life. Additionally I have people in my life that have to have critical meds compounded because they are allergic to dyes.

Prior to using compounded hormonal therapy, I used Prometrium. My doctor had to raise the milligrams to 200mg before there was the slightest budge in my blood progesterone levels. I never felt much of anything and at 200mg, this medication should have had me on the floor drooling. My doctor switched to compounded progesterone cream. The first application I noticed an enormous difference. I was extremely sleepy and my mood improved. She reduced the dose and I now take 75mg and I am maintaining my progesterone levels. I can sleep, I have energy, and my mood is stable. For me, I was not absorbing the progesterone in the Prometrium form but I get great relief and benefit from the topic compounded form. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to restrict effective therapies, especially when they are not harmful. I need the FDA to stay out of my medicine cabinet and the FDA needs to use science, not big pharma lobbyists to help the people.

Please continue to allow patients access to this type of medicine. Other commercially available products did not help me, otherwise, I would have used them, as they would have been covered by my insurance! Instead, I have used compounded hormone medications for over 20 years and the prescriptions have been modified over time to correspond to my changing hormonal needs as I age.

I feel that it is my right to choose compounded drugs which I choose to pay for and my doctor has prescribed. I have osteoporosis and the estrogen and progesterone help this problem. I do not want to take the drug company form of these drugs.

The formula that was customized to my needs based on doctor's recommendations and my own body's response was much more effective and had fewer negative affects than previous prescriptions.