Hormones are important for regulating most major bodily processes. Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Because of their essential role in the body, even the smallest hormonal imbalance can cause side effects throughout the body. As we age, our bodies naturally start to reduce the amount of hormones like testosterone and estrogen they produce. Hormones such as these are incredibly important to how many areas of your body function – such as your brain, heart, bones, reproductive organs, and more. When these hormones are out of balance, people can experience a number of different symptoms. Most women see a significant drop in estrogen and testosterone during menopause, while many men may experience a similar phenomenon relating to testosterone, known as andropause or more commonly as Low T (low testosterone). Through menopause, women experience symptoms including fatigue, mood swings, trouble sleeping, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and more. This is due to significant hormone fluctuation; in particular, low testosterone levels can contribute to these issues. Men also experience declining testosterone levels as they age, resulting in fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, body aches and even decreasing muscle strength. Hormone optimization is a method of restoring the balance of your hormones and aiming to relieve these symptoms, using compounded hormones that are identical in structure to those your body naturally produces. It is especially beneficial for patients dealing with symptoms of hormonal imbalance due to the natural aging process. That way, your body recognizes and uses these replacement hormones in exactly the same way it would hormones it produces naturally.