Dear Lawmakers-
Why is women's health so neglected in our country, especially during the menopause years? As a nation, we would rather put women on antidepressants or tell them "it's all in your head", rather than treat the hormonal imbalances head-on that all women face during menopause. At age 51, I began to have hot flashes every 15 minutes, all day and night. I was soaking through my clothes while trying to be professional in seeing my patients (I am an optometrist). I was not sleeping at all due to the hot flashes. As you can imagine I was irritable, had no libido, achy, had brain fog, and was constantly exhausted. I went about a year in misery (trying every over-the-counter option there was with no relief, and having those OTC items raise my liver enzymes) when my doctor suggested I try hormone replacement. I have a great health insurance plan, and do you know how much regular hormone replacement costs per month WITH good insurance?! $200.00 per month!! With 2 kids in college, that is NOT an option for me. My doctor talked to me about a more natural alternative, compounded HRT. This is still expensive, but at $50.00 per month, much more affordable, easier on my body and works like a charm. I know I am not alone in begging you to preserve compounded HRT. If you are not holding big pharma and insurance companies accountable for charging reasonable fees for meds to treat menopause the way it should be, you must allow compound pharmacies to fill that gap instead. Please act responsibly for women's health.