Everything You Need To Know About Male PMS, Including Whether It's A Real Thing

Jun 13, 2018 by apost team

Pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS is a collection of symptoms that develops a few days before a woman’s period and ends about a day after her period starts. It is caused by hormonal changes, and it is accompanied by a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that can include cramps, bloating, headache, depression, and/or irritability. 

Men, obviously, don’t have periods, so the phrase “male PMS” is not completely accurate. However, men can develop a condition with similar symptoms called Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS). Dr. Gerald Lincoln, a researcher in Scotland, first described the condition in 2001. He had noted that male sheep with low levels of testosterone became unusually aggressive and irritable. 

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Four years later, the psychotherapist Jed Diamond conducted a study with human subjects. He found that declines in testosterone levels in men caused a variety of physical and emotional changes in them. 

IMS is most common in middle-aged men, who are often undergoing the hormonal changes associated with andropause or “male menopause.” During andropause, a man’s testosterone levels drop. Younger men can develop IMS, however. IMS in a younger man can be caused by any of the following: 

  • Overwork 
  • Malnutrition 
  • Some medications 
  • Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle 
  • Hypodynamia or diminished strength

Some fluctuation in a man’s testosterone levels is normal. For example, a man’s testosterone levels are usually higher in the mornings than in the evenings. Similarly, they are highest in the spring and lowest in the autumn. 

As the name suggests, one symptom of Irritable Male Syndrome is irritability. Other emotional or psychological problems caused by IMS can include the following: 

  • Decreased self-confidence 
  • Depression 
  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Difficulty sleeping 

Physical symptoms of IMS can include the following: 

  • Reduced energy 
  • Lower sex drive 
  • Erectile dysfunction 
  • Increased difficulty losing weight 
  • Increased difficulty recovering after a workout 

While IMS is hardly fatal, it can affect a man’s life, particularly his relationship with his wife or lover. Furthermore, some of the symptoms found in IMS also occur in other, more serious conditions. For example, reduced energy and ability to concentrate are both seen in patients with sleep apnea. If you suspect you have IMS, you should thus go to a doctor for a proper examination and diagnosis. They will test your testosterone levels and conduct other tests to rule out other possible conditions. 

A common treatment for IMS is testosterone replacement therapy. The doctor will also recommend cultivating good health habits. A balanced diet and regular exercise will also help you control some of your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend couples therapy to help you and your significant other cope with your personality changes. 

Do you have IMS or know somebody who does? Please show this article to someone you know who may this condition.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!