“Male PMS”: myth or reality?
Unreasonable irritability, apathy, decreased performance - it turns out that men also have their own “special days.” And hormones are also to blame for this.
Sudden mood swings, depression, unreasonable apathy and other symptoms that are usually associated with the onset of the menstrual cycle in women also occur in men. Some believe that this is how emotional intimacy between partners manifests itself - the body of a loving man supposedly adapts to the rhythm to which the body of his beloved obeys.
Sounds dubious? Of course, our bodies are too different from a physiological point of view. But does this mean that men who report these types of symptoms are simply fooling around? Let's figure it out.
The menstrual cycle exists to prepare the female genital organs for fertilization. A few days before and, in some cases, a few weeks after the start of menstruation, a woman's body experiences a hormonal imbalance. The sensations that a woman experiences at this time are called “premenstrual syndrome” or PMS.
Men do not experience menstrual pain, headaches or swelling, which follow cyclical patterns. But their hormonal levels can also change.
In fact, “male PMS” is not a medical concept, but an attempt by amateurs to find a term of similar meaning to describe a special psychological state caused by changes in hormones.
Men become irritable when their testosterone levels drop, not the other way around.
Scottish physician Gerald Lincoln first drew attention to it and even proposed a name - “irritable man syndrome” or IMS. In 2005, therapist Jed Diamond, in his book of the same name, first described in detail how SPM manifests itself and what specific processes determine it.
“Contrary to popular belief, men become irritable when their testosterone levels drop, not the other way around. Irritability, depression and withdrawal are a consequence of a lack of this hormone in the body,” explains Diamond.
Diamond advises men who may be affected by SPM to track their hormonal cycles. “For each of us, this period manifests itself differently, but we are quite capable of preparing for it,” the therapist notes. “The problem is that this phenomenon is not yet fully understood and studied. Many people simply don’t attach any importance to it.”
The good news is that male and female "cycles" cannot affect each other, and the possibility of contracting symptoms from another is nothing more than a fantasy. “Our research has shown that only female hormonal cycles can synchronize with each other. Manifestations of SPM may not cause a similar reaction in another man or woman if they live together,” Diamond reassures.
Is it possible to minimize the inconvenience associated with SRM? According to Diamond, the solution to this problem involves eating right and exercising. Therapy may also include taking the hormone testosterone if a man’s levels are consistently low.
Diamond's facts about hormonal fluctuations in men
:
- Testosterone levels in men fluctuate greatly - up to 4 or even 5 times per hour.
- During the day, testosterone levels in men vary: in the morning it is usually high, and in the evening it is low.
- There are also seasonal fluctuations in the hormone with a peak in November and a decrease in April.
- At the age of 40–55, men experience what we call male menopause or andropause.
What men don't talk about
Any psychologist will confirm: he has many times fewer male clients than women. If a man came to therapy, he threw out the “white flag” and he was “hot” in such a way that it was no longer possible to cope on his own or with the help of the usual tools - the advice of friends, a bathhouse and fishing. So what do men share with therapists?
Inconvenient people: why we try to change those around us
You look wrong, you behave wrong, you have “wrong” thoughts, “wrong” actions... It seems that one of the most popular activities among people is various attempts to change others. We argue, we convince, we prove, we force... And in the overwhelming majority of cases, all these remarkable efforts go in vain.
Causes and significance of PMS
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a complex of various manifestations of a psychological and somatic (physical) nature that appear in women on the eve of menstrual bleeding.
Nature provides that every month girls experience a cyclical cycle of certain processes in the uterus and other female genital organs under the influence of the production of certain hormones in the body.
No matter how gentle and affectionate a girl is by nature, you should not blame her for the manifestations that are observed in PMS. Medicine has studied this syndrome quite deeply and answered the question of what PMS is and why it occurs. So, in the second half of the monthly cycle, namely, 3-10 days before the start of menstruation, the level of estrogen and progesterone in the blood decreases significantly. This situation entails the following changes at the biochemical level:
- The concentration of the hormone aldosterone increases. One of the functions of this hormone in the body is fluid retention. The growth of this hormone in the blood leads to tissue swelling and increased blood pressure.
- The level of monoamine oxidase in the brain increases. It affects the emotional state, can suppress mood and can cause depression.
- The amount of serotonin, popularly known as the “joy hormone,” decreases. This entails consequences that are noticeable to both the girl herself and the people around her.
- The secretion of prolactin increases - this hormone also leads to the retention of fluid and sodium ions in the tissues.
- The amount of prostaglandins increases - this leads to disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, headaches and vascular changes.
Features of “female” and “male” PMS
Almost all males have heard about premenstrual syndrome. This is a female state determined by natural rhythms. A few days before the start of the next menstruation and (in some cases) after, an imbalance of hormones is observed in the body. This is accompanied by sharp mood swings, causeless apathy, tearfulness, depression and irritability. Why such suffering? The menstrual cycle is necessary to prepare the female body for a possible pregnancy.
Men usually do not experience headaches and are not subject to sudden mood swings, which follow cyclical patterns. But their hormonal levels can also change. French andrologist Sylvien Memoun lasts on average 72-74 days. This is how long it takes for sperm to fully mature.
The French pharmaceutical concern Bayer conducted studies that confirmed men's critical days. The frequency of the “cycle,” associated with hormonal fluctuations that affect the state of the body as a whole, sexual desire and emotions, is 23-30 days. Some experts believe that the moon has an influence on the male body. Thus, sexual desire increases during the full moon and new moon.
Male irritability syndrome
Does PMS occur in men? Male premenstrual syndrome is not a medical concept, but an attempt to find a suitable term to describe a special condition in men caused by fluctuations in hormonal balance. Men may become irritable when testosterone levels in the body decrease. This pattern was first noticed by the Scottish physician Gerald Lincoln. In 2005, therapist Jed Diamond first described in detail the manifestations of male irritability syndrome (MIS) and its causes.
Irritability, depression and withdrawal are a consequence of decreased testosterone levels. Therapist Diamond claims that this condition manifests itself differently for each male, but it is quite possible to prepare for it. The only problem is that the phenomenon of PMS in men (more precisely, PMS) is not yet fully understood and studied by the scientific community. This is simply not given any importance.
By the way, female and male cycles (including PMS in men and women) cannot influence each other and are not in any way dependent. Numerous medical studies have shown that only women's hormonal cycles can synchronize. Manifestations of male irritability syndrome cannot cause a similar condition in another man or woman if they spend a lot of time together.
Treatment
When the cause of irritability syndrome is not fatigue, and the above measures do not help, then you should visit a doctor. After diagnosis, medication or physiotherapeutic treatment may be prescribed. In rare cases, a referral to a psychologist is issued.
Treatment is selected taking into account the disease, if it is the cause of PMS. Age, general health, level of physical activity and other parameters are also taken into account. Most often, mild sedatives are used for therapy; in more severe cases, antidepressants. If age-related changes occur in the body, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed.
Physiotherapeutic procedures that have a relaxing effect give very good results in treatment. These are massage, circular shower, acupuncture and the like.
In many ways, the manifestation of PMS symptoms in the stronger half of humanity depends on family relationships. If a woman does not understand the condition of her man during this period, then the negative manifestations will only intensify. As with premenstrual syndrome, increased support in everything and understanding from a loved one is needed.
The article was checked by a practicing family doctor, Elizaveta Anatolyevna Krizhanovskaya, 5 years of experience More about the author
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Tags: men's health, PMS
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Facts about hormonal fluctuations in men
The same Jed Diamond cites some medical facts about hormonal fluctuations in men. Thus, the researcher indicates that testosterone levels change about five times in one hour. During the day, the concentration of the hormone is not the same: in the morning the level is usually increased, and in the evening it decreases. There are also seasonal variations with a peak in November and a decrease in April. What is called male menopause, or andropause, occurs in men aged 40-55 years. At the same time, the ability to conceive offspring is preserved.
Reasons for the manifestation of SMR - PMS in men
A change in testosterone concentration causes mood swings, weakness, aggressiveness, irritability, drowsiness, and suspicion. This phenomenon has an age factor: after thirty years, the level of the hormone drops by about 1-2% annually, by 10-15% every ten years, or even faster if a man leads a sedentary lifestyle or has bad habits.
Manifestations of male irritability syndrome result from an excess of estrogen, a female hormone, in the body. This is manifested by female-type obesity (fat tissue accumulates in the buttocks and thighs), swelling of the mammary glands (this disease is gynecomastia, which is often physiological), and a change in the timbre of the voice. Estrogen levels increase due to consumption of beer, fatty and fried foods, and fast food in large quantities.
The difference between SMR and bad character
It is clear what PMS is called in men - it is “male irritability syndrome”, or MIS. But how to distinguish normal hormonal changes from simply a bad mood, whims and vile disposition? Male irritability syndrome occurs periodically. Manifestations of SMR include:
- chronic fatigue at any time of the day;
- change in normal voice timbre;
- causeless headache and muscle pain;
- unstable erectile function, apathy or constant sexual arousal;
- drowsiness;
- indifference to loved ones even in stressful situations;
- weakening of the immune system.
Is it possible to treat irritability syndrome?
What is PMS in men (PMS) - a temporary phenomenon that does not require correction, or a disorder? Is it possible to cure male irritability syndrome? Minor hormonal fluctuations occur normally and usually do not require treatment. You should consult a doctor if concomitant health problems appear, SMR seriously interferes with life, or the ability to fertilize is impaired.
However, this unpleasant condition can be alleviated. Male irritability syndrome can be corrected by the right attitude of those around you, a full eight-hour sleep, and a healthy diet. Heat treatment of cereals, vegetables and meat should be short. To protect meat before short heat treatment, it is first marinated in lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic or another natural medium.
Eating a lot of fruit reduces stress levels. Nuts, dark chocolate and buckwheat are especially useful for men - these products smooth out hormonal fluctuations. Fiber is needed as a medium that effectively neutralizes excess active biological substances. A large amount of fiber is found in legumes, bran, grain bread, and algae.
Additional vitaminization of the body is important. Depression occurs due to a lack of vitamins B, C, D, E. Alcohol not only leads to dehydration and depression, but also washes out vitamin C from the body. It is advisable to choose a good multivitamin complex and walk more often. Traditional medicine recommends flaxseed oil, soybeans, and dark grapes. Herbal decoctions of licorice, linden, clover, angelica, and hops are useful. Official medicine has confirmed that these herbs normalize testosterone production.
An additional source of endorphins (hormones of happiness) is sex. Sports activities are useful. Many men, just after the age of forty, begin to run, take long walks, swim, and go to the gym. The body understands that healthy physical activity slows down the aging process and normalizes general condition.
Why does premenstrual syndrome occur:
Now it is clear to men, if they read this article, that these are not the whims of the wife. Science has long known that the culprits of this condition in many women are hormones - progesterone, estrogen. Or rather, their imbalance.
Usually they work together. But during the premenstrual period, less of one hormone is released, and more of another. The result is clear: the woman’s body suffers.
Features: if females produce more estrogen, they become nervous, irritable with elements of aggression.
Those with more progesterone are suppressed, with a constant feeling of fatigue. It is the increase in the amount of progesterone that leads to swelling of the glandular tissue in the breasts of women.
They become quite painful. Symptoms of fluid retention in the body and weight gain are clearly expressed. At this time, you can’t sleep well and your body temperature rises. The mood often changes, the woman is irritated. This is aggravated by a lack of B vitamins, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
What is PMS for guys?
PMS in men? Any male representative will be indignant when he hears such an expression. It is considered a woman’s prerogative to break dishes and overeat on sweets on menstrual days. Usually, if a man considers a woman’s reaction not entirely reasonable, adequate, or simply understandable to him, he waves his hand and says that she has PMS. But according to scientists, men, as well as women, have attacks of increased irritability and inappropriate behavior. What is this phenomenon and how to deal with it?
How to understand this phenomenon
Various factors can lead to a state of aggression. How can you tell whether a violent reaction is a sign of PMS in a man, or whether it’s just a temporary outburst of anger that has certain motives?
There are several differences by which testosterone fluctuations in a man’s body can be determined. They are the same for a temporary decrease in the hormone and for persistent andropause. Here are the most basic ones:
Hot temper is one of the signs of PMS
- Fast fatiguability;
- Depression;
- Hot temper;
- Drowsiness at any time of the day;
- Changes in sexual activity;
- Cognitive impairment (poor concentration, inattention, etc.).
When such symptoms appear, a woman should not think that the man has lost interest in her. Because this period is very difficult for a man and requires understanding and support. In addition, not every representative of the stronger sex agrees to talk about their problems. And not everyone understands what is happening to them. But, having found out the true essence of the problem, there is no need to panic. There are several recommendations that will help you survive this period.
Irritability in men
Someone will brush it aside and say that this is the speculation of offended women. Someone will remember about Couvade syndrome, or pseudo-pregnancy in men. This is a condition when men experience all the secondary signs of pregnancy: toxicosis, taste perversion, digestive problems. Some knights even begin to grow a belly. Of course, not because life is ripening inside them, but for the simple reason that fat begins to be deposited on the abdominal wall. And flatulence (due to digestive problems) leads to the intestines becoming swollen with gases.
All this happens because some representatives of the stronger sex are too inclined to get used to the suffering of their other half. Excessive empathy leads to the fact that they experience discomfort comparable to that which the expectant mother is forced to endure. But could it be that especially sensitive men “help” their ladies get through their periods?
As it turns out, no. For men, there is their own, male PMS, not associated with women's cycles. Of course, it is called differently. The use of this abbreviation, which is widely heard by representatives of both sexes, is only an attempt to point out that men are also prone to irritability and inappropriate reactions under the influence of certain factors.
Men's mood swings are commonly called male irritability syndrome, or MIS.
For any phenomenon there is always more than one reason. Construction and installation work is no exception. Two main groups of reasons can be distinguished:
This division is conditional, because changes in the psyche entail changes in physiology, and vice versa. If in women changes in the emotional background and increased irritability are associated with a decrease in the level of the female sex hormone estrogen, then an irritable and grouchy mood in men can be explained by a drop in testosterone levels.
Testosterone is “eaten up” by 3 things:
- Stress.
- Disease.
- Age (more precisely, age-related changes).
Any psychological problems, failures at work or school, personal tragedies, excessive physical or intellectual activity, even excessive sexual activity, lack of sleep - all this can be a stressor that will affect hormonal levels. Under the influence of testosterone fluctuations, the mood, not rosy due to problems, becomes completely mournful.
In such a situation, even a young guy may show signs of SMR.
Physiological problems
Excessive exercise on exercise machines can lead to the same condition. Young people have the habit of actively “pumping up” their muscles, sometimes immoderately. If this is combined, for example, with active study or renovation work at the parents' dacha and nights out with girlfriends, you should not be surprised if the young man shows all the signs of premenstrual behavior.
PMS. A Quick Survival Guide for Men
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PMS. A Quick Survival Guide for Men
Thursday, July 26 | 3049 |
One of the favorite topics for jokes and jokes for many people is the topic of female premenstrual syndrome. During this “wonderful” period, it is especially difficult for men, because their woman behaves illogically and aggressively. And since PMS occurs once a month in the fair half of humanity, representatives of the stronger sex must learn to survive during this period with the least loss.
First, it’s worth explaining what PMS is and what it does to your beloved’s body. As the name suggests, the syndrome occurs before the onset of menstruation. Depending on the characteristics of the body, it can begin from 2 to 10 days before the cycle. PMS is a complex of symptoms that notifies a woman about the imminent arrival of “guests in a red Lamborghini.”
Changes in character are only a consequence of the vigorous work of your beloved’s body. PMS is characterized by changes in hormonal levels, disturbances of the vegetative-vascular and endocrine systems, and decreased immunity. By the way, because of this, PMS is the most dangerous time for a woman, because her body can hardly resist harmful bacteria and microbes. And this is not to mention the fact that some girls, from the last days of PMS, begin to have menstrual pain: pulling in the lower abdomen, there are even sharp pains.
During the premenstrual period, a woman especially needs your attention, care and love. She turns into a small, angry, offended lump who cannot understand her spontaneous desires, but demands that you understand them. At the same time, the woman becomes angry, jealous, doubts, feels oppressive loneliness, and vice versa - you are too close, and this annoys her. In general, contradictions and sadness.
How can a man survive the illogical emotional hurricane of a woman during PMS?
1) Try to avoid lengthy phrases. “I love you”, “Forgive me”, “You are so good”... To any such phrase, your beloved will have a thousand and one objections. Try to be as specific as possible.
2) The most common mistake men make during female PMS is making promises that are postponed indefinitely. For many representatives of the fair sex, before menstruation, the perception of time changes; everything seems so long and slow that any wait drags on for an eternity. To avoid conflicts, you should avoid using words like “soon” or “wait.” It's better to say "now." Incorrect: “We will go to the store on Saturday.” Correct: “Let's go to the store. When would be convenient for you?
3) Don't criticize. During PMS, women's appetite increases, and sometimes it reaches incredible proportions: your fairy can easily eat a bucket of ice cream and snack on a huge piece of meat with pickles. There is no need to look at her like an animal and criticize her at this time. Remember that every harsh phrase, ridicule and criticism will be met with an incredible surge of aggression. You also need to take into account that you will get tired of arguing after 10 minutes, but your woman will be able to continue for a long time, especially during PMS.
4) Physical activity will have a very good effect on a woman suffering from premenstrual syndrome. Do morning or evening exercises together, have sex - give free rein to your imagination.
To survive PMS, men will need a lot of patience. But the most important thing is love. Then you will want to help, and smooth out grievances, and buy a ton of chocolates. And having sex, where would we be without it?
Sofia Kiper, Psychologist
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Signs of construction and installation work
The main signs of testosterone fluctuation are common to a temporary decrease in its level and persistent androgen deficiency:
- Fast fatiguability.
- Irritability.
- Bad mood, reaching depression.
- Drowsiness.
- Cognitive impairment (difficulty concentrating, absent-mindedness, etc.).
- Changes in sexual activity (from irrepressible desire to its complete absence).
With persistent disruption of testosterone production, pathological changes begin in the body associated with a failure of metabolic processes and heart function.
Manifestation of PMS in girls
What is PMS in girls? The decoding sounds like premenstrual syndrome, and it can occur at an age when menstruation already occurs regularly. Signs of the syndrome in girls, as a rule, begin to appear at the age of 25-26 years. The appearance of premenstrual syndrome in girls inherently reflects disorders in the nervous system, a failure of the hormonal system, which occurs in all women 10 days before menstruation. The same girl can tolerate menstrual cycles differently. Hysterical attacks, anger in one case and calmness in another.
The photo will demonstrate what PMS is in girls with the greatest clarity. Some recommendations will help you cope with premenstrual syndrome:
• direct your energy into sports (gym, aerobics, etc.), give the energy outlet within reasonable limits;
• review your diet (exclude alcohol, chocolate, coffee, salty foods), more vitamins;
• for severe pain, birth control pills (contraceptives) as prescribed by your doctor may help.
What is PMS in girls? This question worries not only the girls themselves, but also the guys. Sudden changes in mood, aggression, and tearfulness are reflected directly on the girls’ chosen ones. Young people, be prepared for this if you love your girlfriend.