What is Andropause?
Understanding Andropause
A Guide for Men Navigating Midlife Changes:
Educational content by Supplements by Hazel
While women's hormonal transitions during menopause receive considerable attention, the parallel experience many men face—often called andropause—remains surprisingly under-discussed. At Supplements by Hazel, our founder Hazel Hayden's extensive clinical experience has shown her that understanding these natural changes is the first step toward making informed choices about midlife health.
What exactly is Andropause?
Unlike the relatively rapid hormonal shifts women experience during menopause, andropause typically involves a gradual decline in testosterone levels that can begin as early as the late thirties.
Some researchers suggest testosterone levels may decrease by approximately 1-2% annually after age thirty, though individual experiences vary enormously.
This isn't a sudden biological switch—it's more like a slow dimming of hormonal activity that can span decades. Many men don't even realize what's happening because the changes creep up so gradually.
Signs that many men don't connect to Hormonal Changes
Drawing from decades of clinical conversations, Hazel has observed that men often attribute these experiences to stress, aging, or lifestyle factors without considering the hormonal component:
Energy and Motivation Shifts
That persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, or the subtle loss of drive that once felt inexhaustible. Many successful professionals find themselves questioning whether they're simply "getting older" when hormonal fluctuations might be playing a role.
Physical Changes Increased
Difficulty maintaining muscle mass despite consistent exercise routines. Many men notice their bodies responding differently to the same workouts that once yielded reliable results.
Sleep Disruption
Restless nights, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested experiences that mirror what many women report during perimenopause.
Mood and Cognitive Variations
Some men report feeling less sharp mentally, more irritable, or experiencing mood fluctuations that feel uncharacteristic. These subtle changes often get dismissed as work stress or life pressures.
The Supplements by Hazel Approach to Men's Midlife Nutrition
While andropause is a natural biological process that cannot be "cured" or "treated" with supplements, many men find that supporting their overall nutritional status becomes increasingly important during this life stage.
Our approach focuses on premium nutrition that complements a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. We understand that men's nutritional needs may shift during midlife, and quality matters more than ever.
Key nutrients that research suggests may be particularly relevant for men include:
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Vitamin D3: Essential for numerous bodily functions and particularly important for men who spend considerable time indoors
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Magnesium: Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body
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Zinc: A mineral that plays roles in multiple physiological processes
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B-Complex vitamins: Important for energy metabolism and nervous system function