Prior to menopause, I had enjoyed a life full of wellness that allowed me to experience life without restrictions. After 10 years of menopause, having tolerated the nuisance symptoms, I was left with a sense of general decline. Where was my vitality? Where was my physical reserve for the sports I enjoyed? What happened to my once perfect bone density? Where in the world was my libido? Why was my brain so often foggy? My doctor recommended bio-identical hormone pellets and compounded oral progesterone tablets. What did I have to lose?
I can’t begin to express how appreciative I am to have my life back! My energy level and libido are once again at a premenopause level. In one year I have shown marked improvement in my bone density. I have sufficient physical reserve to fully participate in several sports and have better muscle mass.

I have been taking 2 prescriptions for hormone replacement therapies for many years. The purpose of these hormones is to regulate my system and to decrease the terrible symptoms I experienced on a daily bases, including night sweats, vaginal pain, severe vaginal dryness, and pain during sex. After trying traditional methods, which did not work, my Gynecologist prescribed the compound prescription of:
Estrace and Hydrocortisone Testosterone.
Since taking these compounding hormones I am symptom-free. I feel fantastic and am no longer suffering on a daily basis. I am able to lead a more normal life and enjoy walking, exercising, and having sex without pain.
I can’t imagine life without taking the compounding hormones. Please do not change the law or rules allowing for Compound Pharmacies. My life would be absolutely miserable!! Please let me know if you require any further information,

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!

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 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.

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

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.

I am a psychotherapist who treats depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health disorders. What I've learned from many of my clients is that if their hormones are not well-balanced it negatively impacts their mental health, especially women who are perimenopausal or menopausal. I frequently refer my clients to a physician who is willing to prescribe bioidentical hormones because once their hormones are balanced their symptoms diminish markedly. I, too, am someone who depends on hormone balance to keep depression and anxiety at bay. I recently had to discontinue Estrace vaginal cream, which is a pharmaceutical, because it contains parabens, which we all know are harmful to human health. My dermatologist told me to avoid parabens in lotions and sunscreen and if it is harmful when applied to the skin, they certainly should not be inserted into one's vagina. These compounded hormones allow us to have hormone treatments without all the toxic ingredients found in pharmaceutical treatments. PLEASE do not allow the pharmaceutical industry to influence your decision to prevent Americans from obtaining bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy!!! We all know their primary concern is profit over human health and wellbeing. Simply read the lengthy list of side effects on most any pharmaceutical! Synthetic ingredients are not good for anyone with an autoimmune disease, which has become an epidemic in the US. PLEASE don't allow special interest groups to ruin it for all of us!

I started having severe perimenopausal symptoms in my 40's - mood swings and night sweats. BHRT has allowed me to feel normal. I don't get hot flashes, I sleep much better, and my moods are very even. I tried going off of it about 5 years ago and it was disastrous for me. I have learned to read my body, know if I am low on estrogen or progesterone, and can titrate my usage as needed. This is life-changing stuff. I cannot imagine what my quality of life would be like without them.

When my doctor mentioned that she felt she could fix my sleep issues within days, I was doubtful. And yet, within days of receiving my first dose of compounded hormones, I had the best night's sleep in decades. Subsequently, my sleep has been excellent ever since. More people need to know that a life-changing solution like this exists. The thought of government overreach stepping in to restrict this life-changing solution is precisely what is wrong with Washington today. I will vote against anyone in Washington who believes they can better manage our health than we can. This must be stopped.

I had tried traditional methods of hormone replacement with little or no improvement to my health and sense of well-being.
The switch to compounded hormones more than a dozen years ago made a tremendous difference. I strongly urge our national legislators to preserve the right to choose this proven method of health care.

When I started going through perimenopause in my mid-30s, my naturopath put me on progesterone cream, and in 4 days all of my horrid symptoms went away. Now I also use estrogen cream and I'm so happy not to be putting synthetic materials on my body. These work!

I was on the traditional pill until I got a doctor that understood Hormones better.
Even though I need to pay out of pocket for this hormone cream because my insurance does not cover it which is another story altogether, I much prefer this natural version because my body utilizes it differently and more effectively.

I was on estrogen replacement and had a hemorrhagic stroke and a seizure in 2018. I can't do estrogen replacement anymore and using testosterone cream has worked wonders for me for the last 4 years. I feel like myself again. I would hate to have to give up this form of hormonal replacement as well. Please don't take that away from me.

The compounded hormones give the ability for a prescription to be made custom fit to just me and no one else. I believe this to be extremely important in maintaining optimal health. My practitioner and pharmacist worked on getting the right dosage just for me. That is not possible with non-compounded estrogen.

Having my thyroid compounded specifically to what my body needs are essential to the healthy function and balance of my hormones. It allows tweaking the different T3 and T4 when needed, whereas traditional pharmacies have limited options leaving me in an unbalanced state. For 20 years I have paid for my own compounding meds out of pocket and I resent the government intrusion into areas they have no business or expertise. It's my body, not yours. We vote you in to represent us the people not represent you, your pockets, and that of big Pharma lobbyists. The FDA had no trouble allowing the government to push and force people to take experimental gene therapy under the protection of the EUA, or lose their jobs. The FDA didn't approve, investigate or require reporting of adverse reactions for an experimental vaccine that we have no idea of the future repercussions, but all of a sudden they want to restrict critical hormone therapies that have worked for decades? Because 45% of the FDA's budget is paid for by pharmaceutical companies. And let's not forget that the NASEM has been known to receive money from Biotech companies making any of their reports biased as well as paid for as well. It's shameful for you to take away my rights and representation and then dictate my medical care based on the contributions and interests of rich and powerful corporations that crush the little people. Who will hear our voices?

It wasn't until I started doing hormone replacement therapy that I noticed a much-improved difference in my pre-menopause symptoms. For many millions of women, this is the only therapy that helps us live a normal life again and feel normal. Without these medications, I would not function.

I started to get hot flashes in my 40's, and they increased to 3 to 4 an hour. I would be talking to a customer and the sweat was rolling down my face and dripping off my nose.
With the hormones, my hot flashes have diminished to a few a day and sometimes one at night. It has made my life so much better. I also get a good night's sleep now.