I went through menopause young due to treatment for breast c...

04.13.2021

Oregon Tualatin

“I went through menopause young due to treatment for breast c...”

I went through menopause young due to treatment for breast cancer. I soon developed severe vaginal atrophy and pain. Making love with my husband was excruciatingly painful. I had pain if my clothing chaffed me. I was having frequent bladder infections, which was never a problem before menopause. I was prescribed Estrace vaginal cream but, I kept getting bacterial vaginosis from this conventional hormone and also was discouraged to see it had petrochemicals which are not good for breast cancer patients. I was prescribed Vagi-Fem tablets, but I developed breast tenderness and fullness, similar to when I was ovulating and my estrogen levels were high. Obviously this was not acceptable for a breast cancer patient. Additionally, the tablet was not dissolving fully on some evenings and was not relieving my atrophic vaginitis symptoms. The only things that have helped me without causing significant side effects and without having unwanted ingredients are the bioidentical hormones, E3 (Estriol) and DHEA. I have found these to be helpful and without side effects in all forms including gels, creams and suppositories. The bioidentical hormonal therapies of Estriol and DHEA have enhanced my quality of life in a way that conventional hormones did not.

Hear their stories. Protect their own words. Protect their access to compounded medicines.

On this page, we can only touch on the data that demonstrates the importance of compounded medicines to the lives of millions of people in this country. While the decision to take this vital therapy from patients and physicians might be profitable for big pharmaceutical companies, it will be disastrous for the millions of patients that those same pharmaceutical companies cannot serve!

We encourage the appropriate committees in both the House and Senate to hold hearings on this critical issue.

Explore our interactive map that demonstrates the importance of compounded medicines to patients all across the country. Filter these first-hand accounts by state to see just how vital compounded medicines are.