I am a retired RN. I have been using bioidentical hormones since December of 2012. They have greatly enhanced my emotional, and physical health. Throughout my reproductive years, I had been a patient of a well loved and well thought of male OBGYN. I was very satisfied with my care until I hit my menopause years. At that time he did not address my hormonal changes and their symptoms in any way. They would not check my hormone levels and denied my request to have an appointment with the female doctor in that group. Their suggestion was to give me an anti-anxiety medicine which I refused! I knew that was not the answer to the problem but would just cause more problems! At that point I turned to my female internists for my yearly pap and told her I was looking for a doctor to address my hormonal status. My main symptoms at that time were hot flashes, interrupted sleep, decrease libido, and painful sex. It was a difficult decision to leave my long time association with my OBGYN, but I felt I had no choice. I then became a patient of Dr. Michael Barnthouse in Kansas City, MO. After a lot of researching on my own, meeting with Dr. Barnthouse, having lab for my hormones drawn, and talking with Karen Butler, a pharmacist with Stark Pharmacy at Menorah Hospital in Overland Park, KS, I decided to start on the bioidentical hormones delivered by troches. Best decision I ever made! I hadn't slept through the night in 2-3 years and after a week on the troches, I was dreaming and waking up rested! My energy level improved, vaginal dryness improved, libido returned, my joints became less achy, and as an added bonus my lipid profile improved drastically! I follow up with Dr. Barnthouse every six months, see my internist yearly, and see a DO for antiaging at New You Health studio in Leawood, KS. I am very proactive in taking care of my health and try to eat organic when possible, do Jazzercice on a regular basis, and take supplements to improve my health. Bioidentical hormones are a big part of my healthy routine and my health would suffer greatly without them. Thank you for letting me express my views.