I've been taking bio-identical hormones for 15 years with no problems. "Regular" hormones also carry a risk. I have a good low-risk family history so am comfortable with slightly elevated risk. My gynecologist and I make sure I am tested regularly with mammograms and Pap smears. I love the flexibility I get with my compounding pharmacy!

I was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency and as part of my hormone replacement therapy, I was prescribed compounded testosterone. It has helped me with my mood, energy, muscle tone, and endurance. Compounded testosterone is an essential part of my treatment and is integral to retaining my vitality as a young mother. My children are 4, 8, and 10, without the addition of testosterone I was losing strength and my ability to be an active mother. Compounded testosterone should be available to everyone suffering from primary ovarian insufficiency, replacing estrogen and progesterone is not enough. Please don't take my medicine from me!

In 2006 I was seriously depressed, could hardly get off the couch. Wellbutrin and Zoloft were ineffective. After two weeks on a 50 mg bio-identical compounded progesterone, my depression was gone, because progesterone deficiency was the cause of my depression so replacing it was the only solution. I'm chemically sensitive so I avoid conventional pharmaceuticals and their side effects. I have not had a hypersensitivity reaction to and absolutely zero side effects of bio-identical compounded hormone replacement therapy in the 16 years that I've been taking them. With BHRT, symptoms indicate a need for dosage adjustment only. After menopause, I added estradiol. I am one of the few perimenopausal women I know who sleeps well all the way until morning because I have enough progesterone, don't gain weight because I have enough progesterone, am continent of urine because I have enough estradiol, and have full cognitive functioning, few wrinkles, an physically active life, and good muscle mass and skin thickness because my hormones are balanced as stably as pre-menopause. Hormonal balance is evidence-based as crucial to male and to female health because hormones affect the entire body. PCPs and Gynecologists need to promote bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for most of what ails women. I seemed to need progesterone for heavy bleeding and for depression as early as my teen and my young adult years.

Because of bio-identical hormone therapy, I am stronger now than I was 10 years ago. I have been on the balance of creams to match my body to best help my hair, skin, nails, and bone strength. It helps with the brain and energy. cBHT is very important to many women...and men. We need this!

I have battled with PCOS since puberty, as does my daughter. After a complete hysterectomy, no doctor I saw would consider my request for any kind of hormone therapy. CBHT is the only thing that has had proven results for me. I honestly don't know what quality of life I will have if this is taken away.

For the first time, I have found an HRT treatment that has improved not only my night sweats and mood swings but improved my inflammation and therefore lowered my pain. Since I started taking it almost 3 months ago my energy is improved, my mood is balanced and my pain levels are dramatically reduced. I have never had this experience with other prescribed hormone replacement treatments such as oral estradiol and progesterone.

My health and quality of life will most certainly suffer if I do not have access to these compounded medicines.

I tried many medications, patches, and oral tablets, but nothing worked and I experienced many side effects, migraines, water retention, bruises, etc. I finally had relief with no side effects when I found the correct bio-identical for me. It is personalized, we are all different and we have different needs,

I use progesterone for my infertility. I also took progesterone after I had my baby to help me with baby blues and depression and anxiety. I also take it during my luteal phase to get pregnant. Compounded hormones help me get pregnant. I also take thyroid medication that helps with infertility as well. Without my bio-identical hormones, I would have a really hard time getting pregnant.

With age, unfortunately, comes a lower testosterone level. This affects general energy levels, sports, gym, and sexual activity. So compounding is the best. I have used compounded medications for years and they have proved an excellent option in all respects. My doctor monitors my hormone levels and I have had no problems. 

I am a 59-year-old woman who has severe digestive disorders causing malnourishment and physical wasting. I start on compounded hormones and was able to restore my health and ability to function. Without compounded hormones, I would have died.

It changed my life. I was depressed and had sleeping problems, I had concentration issues at work. It was a dark period of my life. I started taking CBHT and I started feeling better and was more productive, my mood swings were less frequent as my hormones were balanced. I am now 66 years old I have been taking hormones for more than a decade. I think CBHT should be protected. Women and Men should have access to CBHT.

In the past, I used a pharmaceutical hormone patch. I still struggled with hot flashes, mood swings, and just overall feelings of being unwell. I have taken compounded bio-identical hormones for over 5 years, and my life is completely changed! My doctor keeps close tabs on my levels. I can't imagine my life without them!

I have used compounded hormone replacement therapy to help with maintaining a pregnancy and now for peri-menopausal symptoms with great success.

My physician works directly with my pharmacist to customize my prescription specifically for me. In both cases, there was not a commercially available product that was appropriate for me.

I'm 81 years old and had been struggling with incontinence for years. After my husband died, I started having really high blood pressure and my doctors have struggled to control it. My incontinence became so severe that I could not step without urinating, grocery shopping would be awful. After failing multiple prescription drugs that elevated my blood pressure, my compounding pharmacist suggested a hormone vaginal cream. In 1 month I went from wearing the highest absorbency diapers and changing them all day long, to one thin pad for 24 hours. My incontinence is resolved with a cream that's cost-effective and works well. I am able to go on walks again, have good hygiene, and no longer feel embarrassed shopping for groceries.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto hypothyroidism and
Menopause all in one doctor visit. All my medications are compounded and dosed for me and my symptoms, not a standard that has been set for 100 years. Please leave compounding pharmacies alone and let us continue to be treated with these compounded medications. They are the only thing that has ever helped me!!

Access to these medications saved my life. I feel so much better both mentally and physically. They also saved my marriage. Please don’t take away our access to these life-saving medications.

I am writing to express my concern about the FDA’s possible decision to ban compounding pharmacies from filling prescriptions for bio-identical hormones. As a seventy-four-year-old woman who has been taking these hormones for approximately twenty years, I would be in a difficult position for my remaining years.

I had a complete hysterectomy at the age of thirty. For the next many years, I had difficulty getting relief from the hormonal changes in my body with prescription hormone replacement. I suffered from depression and never-ending hot flashes, as well as insomnia. When I first tried compounded hormone replacement, I experienced a huge change. My body accepted these so much better. While I still suffer from some sleep difficulties and mild depressive episodes, they are tolerable and short-lived.

I have been helped so much by these compounded prescriptions, and I know I am not the only woman out there. Please do not ban compounding pharmacies from providing this service to the people who need this specialized care.

My troubles with "one size fits all" synthetic hormones began in my twenties when I began taking birth control pills. For the four years before my third child was born and for the next two years after, I always had a yeast infection. No matter what medicines were given to me, the yeast infections always came right back. This affected my ability to enjoy sex. I felt awful all the time and I lost my joy of life.
My doctor suggested I quit using birth control pills. Within a few months of stopping the pills, and with no other medications, the yeast cleared and I was able to live a normal life. Until menopause. Within a few months of starting a popular synthetic hormone replacement, the yeast was back. For the next 10 years I suffered, and again lost my joy of life.
Then I began to hear about bio-identical hormones and compounding pharmacies. I changed doctors and began working with one who was familiar with these products. It took a while, but with my doctor and compounding pharmacist working together, changing something here, adjusting something there, they finally found just the right combination and methods that fit my body. I have been yeast free for 12 years. I am 74 and other than my compounded bio-identical hormones, I take no other prescription medication. I am healthy. I camp, hike and kayak. I have joy. My hormones, made especially for me, help keep me that way!

Until I was prescribed compounded hormones, I was ready to consider my life over. Even with children, grandchildren, a job I loved, and a passion for writing, I felt there was no point in living, no joy. Then friends convinced me to try the compounded hormones. Slowly, my energy and joy to live came back. My overall health improved, my bone density got better, and I began an intimate romantic relationship. Taking away compounded hormones would condemn me to death of all that I am. Please, commission a new, unbiased study but do not take it away.