My story is that I began to relapse into an old illness when Menopause began. I was very scared that I was going to be doomed to an incapacitating life again. I am highly susceptible to negative consequences from pharmaceutical drugs. My doctor recommended bioidentical compounded hormones. I was able to tolerate them and I got my life back. I don’t know if you have any idea what that would be like, but taking that option away from myself and others with similar challenges seems criminal to me. Why would you intentionally create harm to American citizens and remove a necessary health care option? We all deserve options in our healthcare. One size fits all isn’t the solution.

30 years ago I underwent massive surgery on my uterus and associated organs. Therefore I lost the ability to make my own hormones that would give me the quality of life. My doctor prescribed me compounded bio-identical hormones, and to this day, they have helped me lead a full and normal life. We need to have this cBHT therapy available to all those who need it. Please do not take this away.

At 44 I had my uterus and ovaries removed (surgical menopause) as a treatment for severe PMS (PMDD). The surgery and subsequent cBHT transformed me from an angry, anxious, stressed-out woman who had destroyed her marriage and who could barely hold it together at work, to a calm, easy-going, relaxed miracle. I am 48. Without cBHT, I will not be able to function because I don't make the hormones needed to maintain mental and emotional balance.

I am treated by a physician who checks my hormone blood values 4 times a year and makes small adjustments to my cBHT as needed. I get my cream from a registered compounding pharmacy. Please don't take away my treatment.

I'm 46 years old, work part-time at a hospital and attend classes part-time towards another degree. Without access to bioidentical hormones through my naturopathic doctor, I would be a severe mess, likely would have stopped working, and wouldn't have the healthy energy to want to finish school. Go ahead and regulate/ban hormones but not bioidentical (natural) hormones. Why not look at all the research first!

I was diagnosed with stage IIIb colon cancer at age 42 and it was determined through genetic testing that I most likely have an inherited condition called Lynch Syndrome which predisposes me to many other cancers. The two cancers with the highest risk after colon cancer (for those with Lynch Syndrome) are ovarian and endometrial cancer. Since we were done having children, I opted to reduce my risk and have a complete hysterectomy (uterus. ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix - all of it!). It was an easy decision for me at the time because I didn't really understand how going into surgical menopause earlier than normal would impact my body and overall health. Within weeks of my surgery, however, I started to realize the effect of the surgery when the frequent hot flashes started. I've also experienced weight gain, osteoporosis, and other unwelcome changes to my body, as well as, what I feel has been an escalation of the aging process. Because of my genetic predisposition to a variety of cancers, my oncologist strongly advised against using synthetic hormones - so I just "suffered in silence" for several years until I heard about the bio-identical compounded hormones. I have been using these hormones for the past 6 months now and I've noticed a significant improvement in several areas. I'm sleeping better and wake with more energy, the hot flashes are pretty much gone and my body is regaining some of its previous "youthful characteristics". I've been very pleased with the process and I'm so grateful that there is an alternative to synthetic hormones, that are safe for my body. I prefer not to take medications if I can help it and it's wonderful to know that the hormones I'm taking are a much better fit for my body's own hormonal needs. A more natural option. My body is happier and I don't worry because this option doesn't come with an increased risk of cancer. On the contrary, the bio-identical compounded hormones protect my body from certain health conditions, including heart issues, further bone loss, and even some cancers. These hormones have definitely improved my quality of life!

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.

When I was 44 I had a panic attack which was followed by extreme depression. I could not stop crying even with daily exercise, yoga, and meditation. I couldn't be left alone in fear of hopelessness. This affected my work, my parenting, and my day-to-day. After a few months, I went and had my hormone levels checked and found my progesterone levels were terribly low. My doctor sent a script to the compound pharmacy and within a few days, I started to feel like myself again. Without the diligence, of my doctor and access to compound hormones, I feel my life would be completely different and I would be living off of Xanax, sleeping through my life. Forever grateful!

As a woman who has suffered hormonal imbalance, I feel the need to speak out about the potential of restrictions being placed on compounded therapies. I find it outrageous and irresponsible to take away a treatment that has helped so many where other treatments have not. The medical field is drifting more and more toward a "one size fits all" approach to treatment. Women need to have various options and the freedom to decide what works for them. It is a scary thought that more and more restrictions are being placed on safe therapies. The FDA is overstepping.

I have a rare genetic disease that affects me. As I age, coming upon 55 years, it is very crucial to maintain balance within my body or my condition accelerates. Compounded hormones play an integral part of my health and to think that I would not be able to have access to them is frankly DEVASTATING. My experience has been life-changing on them and my providers have the utmost knowledge and medical expertise guiding me along as my condition and health changes. I sincerely beg you to please not take the ability to acquire these away from me and many others.

I have struggled my whole adult life with hormone imbalance. I started with infertility and never had children. Now as a 50-year old I struggle with adult hormonal acne, excessive facial hair, weight gain, and fatigue. I finally found a functional medicine approach which includes my compounding pharmacy as part of the team that is helping me to get balanced. Traditional, synthetic medicine could not help me. I wish I would have known about compounded hormones when I was of childbearing age.

After 10 years on synthetic Estrogen, which resulted in high blood pressure and a heart attack, after that I was prescribed a combination of compounded hormones. My health has improved over the past 17 years on Bioidentical Hormones, and I continue to live a full and happy life. I doubt that I would have survived this long on chemical estrogen, let alone be able to live a healthy and happy life. I am very grateful.

I need compound hormones. I am 72 years old and have used compound hormones since my total hysterectomy 22 years ago. I do not wish to ever take them orally as topographical has always worked for me. I try to stay very healthy and I believe this is much healthier. Please do not take away our compound hormones. 

My cat Pumpkin requires liquid medication. Since she has an advanced palate she requires it to be chicken or fish flavors. Compounding Pharmacies are the only option that make her favorite flavor medication. I love that I get to shop locally, and deal with such nice people that are so kind and helpful.

My wife has dealt with health concerns that have been challenging for physicians. The ability to have a pharmacist that can compound is priceless. The ability to have a prescription compounded that the regular pharmacy just can't provide has helped my wife stay healthy. Sometimes she has needed a script that falls between what is available. Being sensitive to drugs and having side effects makes the exact dose very important. Compounding provides the solution. Without compounding, my wife's health would have suffered and our medical expenses would be MUCH HIGHER.

Thanks for compounding!

I was having extreme fatigue, severe periods, and change in moods/outlook on life along with other symptoms of having extremely low progesterone. I could barely get out of bed each morning and my quality of life was suffering. I have been on bioidentical progesterone capsules for the past 4 months and literally feel like a new person. This option has made such a huge difference and I cannot believe that we have to fight for things that make us feel better.

I am a middle-aged, heterosexual, married Caucasian woman that is a mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and business owner. Bioidentical hormones compounded for me after regular blood testing for the past three years have been the perfect antidote to hormonal deficiencies and imbalances caused by menopause. Please do not take away this preferred and effective treatment,

I'm very disappointed to hear that once again, the FDA is signaling that it may consider new restrictions on compounded hormones.

I have been using bio-identical hormones for around 16 years, following a complete hysterectomy that brought on Menopause. Until I started using the compounded hormones, my quality of life was terrible. The hot flashes I suffered, as well as the night sweats, lack of sleep, and brain fog were things I wouldn't wish on anyone.

AND I'm a breast cancer, estrogen dominant, survivor, of 18 years. Studies have found that natural progesterone inhibits estrogen-stimulated breast epithelial cells and downregulates estrogen alpha receptors in breast tissue. It may even arrest human cancer cells.

I use bi-est, progesterone, testosterone. The compounds are the closest thing to the hormones created in my own body.

Without these bio-identicals, as an aging woman, I would have a crappy quality of life. And the last thing I'd want to take would be estrogen made from the urine of mares, that the pharmaceutical companies manufacture, which has been found to cause all kinds of problems for women.

The fact that for all of the years that bio-identical hormones have been made available by compounding pharmacies, the FDA has been fighting this, and as a result insurance companies refuse to cover the expenses, leads me to believe the FDA is taking money from Pharmaceutical companies. They stand to benefit if compounding pharmacies no longer exist... and the health of millions of women --- and men, as well as the livelihood of the pharmacists and their employees at the compounding pharmacies, will be at severe risk.

PLEASE, don't take compounding pharmacies or my bio-identical hormones away. The FDA should stop citing reports from NASEM that they asked to be skewed for their benefit.

Sincerely,
Andrea

Like many women, I cannot tolerate synthetic progestins or oral progesterone without severely debilitating results to my mood.
Compounded bioidentical progesterone has been the one progesterone my body (and my mind) has been able to tolerate and protect my uterus at the same time. Too many doctors are quick to prescribe women in the peri and menopausal transition strong and often unnecessary antidepressants or antipsychotics when all we really need are our bioidentical hormones. Yes, we need to protect our uterus and our breasts, but we have another organ to protect and that is our brain. Too many women are vulnerable to suicide during the peri and menopausal transitions, especially women who may have a history of depression. The answer isn't more anti-depressants or anti-psychotics. We are overprescribed as it is.

I have felt the positive effects of good bioidentical compounded hormone treatment and resulting good mental health. I don't need an anti-psychotic drug, I am not psychotic. I need to have bioidentical hormone replacement options that are right FOR ME.

Take this away and you take away the options for millions of women, who are all individuals and who may or may not be able to metabolize or tolerate certain "FDA approved" hormone therapy or may need specialized dosages because of other health issues, medications which affect hormones being available to the body (such as opioids affecting free testosterone levels) and their stage of life.

My mother benefits from having a hormone cream to help with her symptoms. Some of her symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, skin aging, etc. Her sleep has become much better because she usually does not sleep enough. In general, her mood has been positive as well.