I see numerous ads for MD's that offer 'hormone therapy'. I assume that this allows them to prescribe complete cycles for people - it appears that way from ads. If that were the case, why wouldn't people go that route rather than trying to attain the gear through other channels? Is it just a cost thing, or do these services not really live up to the promise?

I don't live near Mexico, so I can't get the gear cheap, so why not just pay an MD to get it legit?