Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body that affect many of the body’s processes and functions. These hormones are made in the Endocrine glands, with the main ones being made in the pituitary gland, thyroid, and pancreas. They each control different things, including the growth of the body and regulating metabolism.

An imbalance in these hormones can lead to many different issues if left untreated. When it comes to women, the main reason they suffer from hormone imbalance is improper levels of progesterone and estrogen in their bodies when they go through different phases of their lives, like menopause.

Testosterone is used to develop and maintain facial and body hair, production of sperm, and the development of muscles and bones. In men, if the level of testosterone falls too far below the level of estrogen, then it will lead to symptoms of hormone imbalance, such as weight loss, erectile dysfunction, and muscle or bone loss.

Andropause is the male equivalent of menopause because they are both age-related and deal with decreasing hormone levels.

The best way to counter these imbalances is with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). In Hormone Replacement Therapy, either the hormones that are lacking or ones that can replace it are given to the patient in order to stabilize hormone levels. HRT can be very beneficial in dealing with the symptoms of menopause and andropause, such as hot flashes and depression.