These hormones are so important to me. My hot flashes would not stop even at 76 years old. I would wake up soaking wet and lost weight. I am a small woman and cannot afford to lose weight. I pay for these myself and I would not do that if they did not enhance my life.

I have been using compounded bioidentical testosterone hormone therapy for 11 years. Prior to this therapy, I was constantly fatigued, depressed and unable to feel much joy. I was diagnosed by my Urologist with hyppogonadism and very low levels of testosterone. I could not afford the testosterone from pharmaceutical companies because my insurance plans stopped covering them. Initially they covered a few brands but every year they would put more brands on the unavailable list. I had to constantly go back to my Urologist, pay the office visit fee and fight with appeals to my insurance, all to no avail. The only way I can get testosterone that my physician has prescribed is through my local compounding pharmacy. The cost is also $1,500 less per year to purchase through a compounding pharmacist! That is enough savings for me to provide the basic necessities of food and clothing for our family. My quality of life has improved dramatically and I find life to be enjoyable as a result of HRT.

A few years ago when I started having symptoms of pre-menopause I asked my doctor if there was any option for me to help with the weight gain, night sweats and mood swings and she suggested synthetic HRT. When I told her I wasn't interested, due to the adverse side affects and higher chances of getting cancer, she said to wait it out or see a Naturopath. So I saw a Naturopath and after months of testing and supplements, I got on Progesterone through a compound pharmacy- which is a much better healthy option. Please do not take this right away from me or other women I know. I am able to pretty much skate by with minimal hot flashes and night sweats. It has saved my life- and kept my husband happy too!

This therapy has greatly reduced the migraines I experienced with a prior alternative and provided me much more balance during a very volatile time. Please don't put an end to it.

Before cBHT I was suffering from PMDD with suicidal thoughts. I had tried OTC creams without success. Since starting cBHT, I have not had suicidal thoughts during menstruation and this has not only impacted me but it has positively impacted my family.

I have a very sensitive physiology when it comes to hormones. Contraceptives were ALWAYS a problem for me due to side effects. Compounded hormones are so much more effective for me, no side effects and they can be tweaked in very minor ways that big pharma simply cannot accommodate.

Using hormonal therapy has balanced my moods and physical energy for the last 15 years. Keep the compounding pharmacies!

I honestly think it has helped me hate mornings less. My husband notices I talk differently to him. Less moody and more even tempered.

It has brought my testosterone levels back to a good level. I believe it has helped me physically so that I am able to get a good workout. This is important to me since heart problems run in my family and I want to stay in good shape to help fight that problem.

I am in perimenopause and do not know what I would do without access to compounded bioidentical HRT. Even before periomenopause, when I needed post-partum hormone re-balancing, synthetic estrogen in the form of birth control pills made me depressed and anxious and took away my libido. Compounded bioidentical estrogen did none of those things and essentially gave me my life back, restoring a sense of confidence, calm, and inner strength. I cannot overstate how much that meant to me, especially as a mother of three young children. Prior to taking the compounded bioidentical estrogen, I felt so fragile I could hardly go grocery shopping. I would push the cart very slowly through the store, gripping the handle and having to check out and leave after gathering only a few items. Upon starting the bioidentical estrogen this insecurity went away. I could push my daughter on the swing outside without feeling like I would shatter in pieces. This changed my life. I now take compounded bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and the ability to have them made specifically for my needs is vital. I feel safe taking them because they are bioidentical and I can also tailor my doses according to my symptoms. Non-compounded and synthetic options are simply too limiting.

Eight years ago, after the birth of my youngest child, I got sick - severe, frequent migraines, pain, and exhaustion. I have been working with my doctor all this time working on feeling better so that I can take care of my family. I was recently diagnosed with a genetic syndrome, something we had never suspected but with my doctor's persistance and patient care, we figured it out. The diagnosis was complicated by being perimenopausal. Without cBHT we would never have known what symptoms were "just" hormonal and which were part of my syndrome. Without my doctor having the freedom to prescribe and adjust my cBHT, I would still be sick.

Eliminated migraines and mood swings

Biodentical/natural hormones have allowed me to continue to be sexually active into my 60's where I would otherwise have not been physically able to. Also it has improved my energy and vibrance. I tried western hormone solutions. They did not work for me. I have been on the receiving end of too many physicians who practice one size fits all medicine. I worked in acute care for over 15 years in the US. The more I found out about its chemicals, the further I wanted to be from any of it, particularly since on more than one occasion the chemical cure almost killed me. Why anyone would feel the need to judge someones else's cures, religion or politics, is beyond me. Unfortunately, my insurance is not paying for my biogenetical hormones, so why do you care about or feel the need to control how I choose to care for me?

I have come to believe that natural remedies are a great benefit to my body. I use no pharmaceuticals and believe my body functions better with only natural meds.

After trying other conventional forms of hormone therapy and having poor side effects then having trying the compound more natural form, with no side effects, I was extremely pleased. I'm positive that this is true for others. Taking this option away would be a great disservice to others who cannot do conventional medications, forcing either take something that makes you feel miserable, doesn't work or just not taking anything at all because there is no option. Hopefully it will be deeply considered how restricting compounds (cBHT) would be a great negagative impact for many.

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.