Irritable Male Syndrome

IMS

Have you or your partner noticed a complete shift in your general mood, outlook on life and sex drive? Have you, up until now, had a pleasant disposition and been generally happy with your lot but are now finding it difficult to find the fun in anything, suffering from an unexpected and unwanted drop in libido? Have you turned into a grumpy old man? If you are feeling all these things it may not be permanent, there may be a cure; scientists may have come up with an explanation for why men become grumpy and irritable through their middle-age and upward – it may be that you are suffering from Irritable Male Syndrome or IMS.

It is thought that many men's mood swings may be caused by a drop in the male hormone testosterone, which, the theory says, affects your brain and therefore your behaviour. Some theorists believe that middle-aged men go through their own version of the female menopause; though it is possible for men to suffer from plummeting testosterone levels at any time in their lives if they are under a lot of stress, which would have effects similar to those attributed to IMS.

There has not been a great deal of scientific study concerning a drop in testosterone levels in humans but there have been a number of studies involving other animals, including primates, that showed testosterone levels fall when stress levels are increased, resulting in an increase in the production of the hormone corticosteroid. One of the first people to recognize IMS was a Dr Lincoln who observed the phenomenon in Soay Sheep; during the autumn/fall, rams' testosterone levels soar and they mate but during the winter their testosterone levels fall and they lose interest in sex. Dr Lincoln noticed that even though testosterone is commonly linked with more aggressive behaviour patterns, the rams were more prone to injuring themselves and were nervous, withdrawn and struck out irrationally at their fellow creatures when their testosterone levels were at a low. Dr Lincoln’s studies have turned up similar changes in behaviour in red deer, reindeer, Mouflon sheep and Indian elephants.

It is thought that a drop in testosterone in human males is significant because there are numerous receptors in the brain for the hormone and its conversion products, which will be affected if levels are reduced.

Dr Lincoln says, "We're trying to redress the balance. This phenomenon is well described in women because of their cyclic biology".

Testosterone can be produced in higher amounts naturally by taking regular exercise and avoiding fatty meats; a brisk half-hour walk every day will significantly increase your health, well-being and testosterone levels. An increase in body fat, or weight gain can be a major factor in causing the symptoms of IMS; men tend to gain weight around their waists, and studies have shown that fat cells in the abdomen release estradiol, which is created from testosterone – fat around the abdomen is usually the first to drop away in men as they lose weight so dieting to lose weight in this area will reduce the amount of testosterone loss in the body. Still, the loss of testosterone in men is also linked to stressful circumstances such as losing a loved one, divorce or a life-threatening illness; in these cases anti-depressants may help some men, but it is important that real cases of IMS are diagnosed to help those suffering from it.

The common symptoms of IMS are:

depression, fatigue, irritability, sleep problems and snoring, hair loss (other than natural balding), loss of sex drive, swollen male breasts caused by the increase in estradiol and, in some cases, hot flashes; the symptoms can also trigger weight gain, loss of muscle tone, gallbladder and gastrointestinal problems and high cholesterol.

In many cases the man may not recognize his own symptoms, but they may be very clear to his partner or wife; has your man’s behaviour changed radically recently, does he have a short temper and snap at you for no reason when, in the past, he was courteous and gracious? His loss of libido and off-hand attitude towards you may lead you to think that he is no longer interested in you, or that he is having an affair with someone else; when it could be that your man is suffering from IMS.

What can be done?

So assuming you or your partner is suffering from IMS, what do you do about it? First of all you must consult your doctor, tell her/him that you believe you are suffering from a hormone deficiency and they may put you on a course of progesterone which is normally used to treat PMS in women, but is known to counter the production of estradiol; there are also male progesterone dabs that can be applied to the face every day – it is thought by many that the increased estradiol is more problematic than the drop in testosterone, nevertheless some men may need testosterone supplements. Care need to be taken when attempting to alter hormone levels, following all the advice your doctor gives you and reading as much information as you can will help a lot. Eating healthier and avoiding certain foods like fatty meats (hormone-rich steaks and chickens), liquorice and even breath mints, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Following this, exercising regularly and taking high quality vitamin and mineral supplements will have a positive effect against IMS.