We\u2019ve all heard the jokes about \u201cman periods\u201d and \u201cmale PMS.\u201d Cringeworthy one-liners aside, do people with testes really have monthly hormone fluctuations? And if yes, do those fluctuations lead to the same changes in mood people attribute to PMS?<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s cut through the clutter. The answer is complicated, and not definitive. Let\u2019s take a look at what\u2019s really happening and what science says about those hormones.<\/span><\/p>\n Without a uterus, you don\u2019t get a period. Period.<\/span><\/p>\n The term \u201cperiod\u201d usually refers to the monthly shedding of lining the uterus built up in preparation for a potential pregnancy. That shedding comes along with a hormonal shift, as estrogen levels drop. Hormones and moods go hand in hand, which explains why mood swings are part of the premenstrual symptoms (PMS) some people get in the week before their period.<\/span><\/p>\n But do people with testes have the same hormone fluctuations, and the associated mood swings, without the actual period? Jed Diamond, Ph.D., thinks so. He coined the term \u201cIrritable Male Syndrome\u201d in his <\/span>2002 book<\/span><\/a> of the same name. Diamond looked at the biological behavior of male rams, who demonstrated changes in behavior as their hormonal composition changed. Diamond identified four potential triggers for his condition:<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a compelling model with one major issue\u2014humans aren\u2019t rams. There\u2019s no objective evidence that humans experience this fluctuation, and its subsequent behavior changes, in the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s actually no evidence at all that testosterone levels change in a cyclical way, like estrogen and progesterone levels do.<\/span><\/p>\n We do know that testosterone fluctuates slightly throughout the day. <\/span>A 2009 study<\/span><\/a> observed 66 men between the ages of 30 and 80, taking blood samples at 6 different visits in the morning and evening. The results suggested that the body does experience testosterone fluctuations.<\/span><\/p>\n But what does that mean for mood swings? Evidence that testosterone levels actively affect mood and emotion is mixed.<\/span><\/p>\n And round and round the studies go. What we can glean from these conflicting results is the difficulty that researchers have measuring and defining emotional or mood changes, and the subtle ways biology plays a role in not just our moods but potentially our entire personalities.<\/span><\/p>\n Testosterone <\/span>plays a significant role<\/span><\/a> in biological functions. Researchers believe it affects things like libido, bone mass, strength, energy levels, and the production of sperm<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Normal testosterone can vary wildly between individuals, and we\u2019re just beginning to understand the effects of supplementation, and when supplementation may be necessary. Anecdotal evidence suggests that men receiving testosterone supplementation feel less anxiety and have greater sex drive and energy levels, but to date, studies aren\u2019t clear.<\/span><\/p>\n Too much testosterone<\/span><\/a> can <\/span>also<\/span><\/i> affect sperm count, and potentially cause other physical symptoms like headaches and insomnia. Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is known to <\/span>impact fertility<\/span><\/a> in a significant way\u2014an effect that may be temporary or, for some men, permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n Changes in testosterone levels happen for a number of reasons. The biggest one <\/span>is aging<\/span><\/a>. As men get older, they\u2019re more likely to experience testosterone deficiency. We\u2019re not entirely sure why this happens, but it\u2019s normal\u2014and again, \u201cnormal\u201d testosterone levels vary from person to person.<\/span><\/p>\n Another factor is obesity. People who are overweight may have lower testosterone levels, and some of the scientific literature actually demonstrates a positive correlation between testosterone supplementation and shedding those pounds. It may be <\/span>a self-perpetuating cycle, <\/span><\/a>with lower testosterone feeding weight gain and weight gain further suppressing testosterone, but further study is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n Smoking, something highly detrimental to sperm count and quality<\/a>, can <\/span>increase<\/span><\/i> testosterone levels. <\/span>One study of over 3400<\/span><\/a> men found that smokers had 13% higher free testosterone and 15% overall more testosterone than men who never smoked. This is definitely not an argument to take up smoking; although it may result in higher testosterone, it\u2019s also one of the most detrimental habits for your sperm.<\/span> Learn more about <\/span><\/i>smoking and sperm health<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n You can\u2019t blame your hormones for your mood changes, yet. However, if you\u2019re experiencing low sex drive, fatigue, or mood changes, there are some things you can do to get a diagnosis or improve your emotional wellbeing:<\/span><\/p>\nMale monthly hormone fluctuations?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Male hormones: It\u2019s complicated<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How does testosterone affect mood?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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What else does testosterone do?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What impacts testosterone levels?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What you can do if you think you\u2019re experiencing a \u201cmale period\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n
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