I could barely get out of bed when I began to approach menopause and I was working as a registered nurse. I could hardly get through one eight-hour shift. I was always tired and could not function well on the job. I went to see a preventive medicine doctor who tested my hormone levels and said they were extremely low, which would account for my symptoms. He then prescribed the bioidentical hormones and my life began to change for the better. Please do not interfere with a doctor's ability to prescribe these life-saving medications for patients who are suffering.

After a full hysterectomy, I had a difficult time with surgical menopause. I tried the pill forms of HRT but they caused too many side effects and the dosages were either too high, not enough, or I couldn't process them correctly due to other GI conditions. When I was able to get a doctor to prescribe bio-identical hormones tailored to my specific body and needs, my life changed for the better. We need to keep access to this type of therapy. Please support people first!

Please! Bio-identical hormones have changed my life for the better. Please don’t get rid of the. I love how they can be made for your specific needs. I personally know of several friends who also that this has helped their quality of life tremendously.

My story begins with always feeling extra tired and no will to do much. I didn't understand what was wrong with me and even thought I might have depression. Had a friend tell me to check out my hormone levels and so I did. To my surprise, my testosterone levels were that of an 80-year-old man-- we are talking 197 total testosterone with horrible levels of free and bioavailable testosterone. I got on testosterone therapy and literally within a few weeks I felt so much better the energy was back the drive to do things was also back not to mention a few other perks and functionality of a younger version of myself years ago. It was shocking honestly the effect a hormone can have on you physically and also mentally an absolutely life-changing therapy. I fear these restrictions would cause shortages. It would be devastating to not be able to receive this therapy for so many people and go back to hormone levels probably even lower than before. It's truly a matter of health because, without proper hormone levels, our bodies and even minds won't function properly. Thank you for your time.

For years sex was not a pleasant experience. I struggled with depression and anxiety every time I tried to have sex with my husband. I was extra dry and had low libido due to having type 1 diabetes for over 25 years. When my Gyno prescribed libido number 5 it was a 360. I had a sex drive, was aroused, and enjoyed sex with my husband. I felt like I just started living. My hormones were now in balance and I was in control of my body. Thank you compound therapy for putting the sex back into my sex life!

I thought my life was over! I was getting very little sleep, was depressed, anxious feeling life would be over any day as I could not function to my usual capacity it was so hard just getting out of bed to try and get a new day started. Since starting my hormone replacement, especially progesterone, my life is finally worth living again! I never knew how far gone I was until I started feeling myself again. Thank you for life!

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2006, my doctor prescribed Trans-dermal Identical Hormones to me to help keep the bones I have. I am very small in stature and bone. This has been life-changing for me.

Taking pellets has been a life-changing experience for me. if it weren’t for my ability to obtain these hormones it would significantly alter my quality of life!

Compounded Bio-identical hormone treatment has greatly impacted my quality of life. My anxiety is controllable, I sleep again and feel ready for the next day, no hot flashes, and many more benefits!

I have been on bio-identical hormones for 12 years. I had to find a doctor to prescribe them. My own doctor caused me to have terrible painful periods and after a bad pap smear, I had to have a D&C. Then she took me off completely. I was sweating so badly all day my boss would give me a hand fan every time I walked into her office. Finally, a big fan was found for me, but I was pouring sweat most of the day. My sister-in-law told me how bio-identical hormones helped her without side effects. I found a doctor here and have not had any problems since. Please do not take away my bio-identical hormones!

I have a disabling medical condition, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, MCAS, that causes severe allergies and chemical sensitivities. I have required compounded thyroid hormone medication which has to be made in a clear gel cap and made in an olive oil base because I am severely hyper-reactive to many dyes, preservatives, and fillers. I also need less medication than many people need. Manufactured thyroid medications don't come in the small doses I require and they have fillers that I have adverse reactions to, which can send me to the ER. Not having proper Thyroid medications and doses can be life-threatening. I have needed other compounded medications over the years since I need smaller doses that are dye free, preservative-free, and use fillers and carriers so that I will not have adverse reactions to them. For example, I had to take a low-dose hormone replacement therapy medication that was only made by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. It was made with an iodine preservative as many of the low-dose birth control medications used for HRT are made with and use dyes. I was taken away by ambulance at 1 am after my first dose with my throat tightening, vomiting and shaking out of control, and heart racing and brought to the ER for stabilization. This is just another example why I require compounded hormone medications. We are NOT all the same and some do better with custom-made compound-made medications at the doses that work for our needs.

I am a 69-year-old female who has taken compounded bio-identical hormones for well over 15 years. The bio-identical hormones not only assisted in dealing with the side effects of transitioning into menopause, but it has given me mental and physical well-being over the years--and it shows.

It is my understanding that the FDA is threatening to restrict or prohibit compounded bio-identical hormones. WHY?

To members of Congress, please urge the FDA to base any action on real science and not some slanted and manipulated NASEM report.

I have fought no energy and night sweats for over 15 years. I started on compounded hormones over two years ago and am now able to sleep at night without waking up 5 times in a pool of sweat. I have the energy to get out of bed go to work all day and come home to work out for an hour or more. I feel better that I am now at 60 years old than I did at 45. Compounded hormones have completely changed my life for the better and I know without them I will age and not be able to do the things I do now. I let them start to wear off a few months ago, night sweats returned as bad as ever.

My nurse practitioner put me on these years ago and I have felt so good as far as my brain goes. I have a lot of health problems and these do help to keep away the sweats and brain fog, lots of women rely on them to keep them up and going so if you took them away a lot of people would be walking around feeling awful. Please don’t do the unthinkable and ruin a lot of women’s lives, I know they make me feel like I can go on every day. 

I have tried several different types of synthetic hormones. All made me ill. I had a total hysterectomy at the age of 40. After my doctor tried to stabilize my body with pharmaceutical HRT, I realized that my body couldn’t tolerate the treatment. I had migraines, body-wide aches and pains, severe mood swings, and high blood pressure.

I then found a doctor who specialized in compounded hormone therapy and I finally felt healthy. My prescriptions are made for my body. Through the support and knowledge of my doctor, my symptoms have disappeared and I feel so much better.

I have concerns that there is the threat to limit or take away access to compounded hormones. Not everyone can take the standard pharmaceutical hormones, nor the dosages they come in. With careful monitoring of my doctor, I am confident that she is doing what is best for me.

Thank you for listening and for your time.

Hormone replacement therapy (pellets and compounded progesterone) helped me tremendously. I was only expecting to, hopefully, get back my libido, lessen the brain fog and hope my irritability would go away. Not only did it help all of these but I also had less muscle and joint pain. (the joint pain would keep me awake and night). I got better sleep, my mood improved and I was more energetic. I have been on them for 4 years now and still doing good. I can tell when the pellets is wearing off becasue some of the symptoms start up again. This has been a game changer and to take them away from us would be cruel. It has given me hope and a much better outlook on life.

The hormone therapy I am receiving has been awesome. I tell every breast cancer survivor I can about the wonders of this therapy for us. Because of chemo, many of us go into early menopause. The therapy I have been able to receive has helped with my sex drive and vaginal dryness. Imagine being 40 years old, and no longer able to enjoy sex. I tell any woman in menopause to try this therapy. Thanks for my local compounder!

I have been successfully using bio-identical hormones for many years. Prior to using them, I was experiencing severe anxiety, night sweating, and could not sleep. By adding these hormones to my life, I have had the much-improved quality of life including better sleep and relationships, and I am better able to have the energy to do my work. Taking these medications off the market will impact so many people. These hormones are much safer than synthetic versions that cause many side effects. I have had no negative effects from these medications, only positive ones.

Due to an autoimmune issue, I hit menopause like a wall when I turned 45. At first, I thought the menopause symptoms were just a new part of my autoimmune struggles. After my ob/GYN did blood testing, we decided on a (not bio-identical) hormonal patch, which did little to alleviate symptoms. After 6 months on the patch, I developed a melanoma about 6 inches from the patch site. I started researching and decided to try bio-identical hormone replacement instead. These have alleviated my symptoms (hot flashes every 5 minutes, debilitating panic attacks, and night sweats). Honestly, I had no idea how miserable menopause could be, and how it could affect every aspect of life. I wish I had started with bio identically and avoided the suffering I endured for several years before starting. Truly a lifesaver.