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Andreas Kindler via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Gradual testosterone decline can contribute to a number of symptoms, including mood changes, low energy and fatigue.<\/p>\n
According to Houman, the most common symptoms are: <\/p>\n
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- Mood changes, including irritability, lower motivation and feelings of depression<\/li>\n
- Cognitive changes, like difficulty concentrating or memory lapses<\/li>\n
- Low energy and fatigue that isn\u2019t explained by poor sleep alone<\/li>\n
- Reduced libido and fewer spontaneous erections<\/li>\n
- Loss of muscle mass and strength despite regular exercise<\/li>\n
- Increased body fat, particularly around the midsection<\/li>\n
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or poor-quality rest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These symptoms don\u2019t happen overnight, he said. \u201cMale hormonal decline is gradual, with testosterone levels peaking in the late teens to early 20s, remaining relatively stable through the 30s, and starting to decline by about 1% per year after age 40. Most men start noticing symptoms like those listed above between 40 and 60, though lifestyle, chronic illness and genetics can accelerate or delay onset.\u201d<\/p>\n
How we got here<\/strong><\/p>\n
The term \u201cirritable male syndrome\u201d (IMS) was coined in 2001 by Dr. Gerald Lincoln<\/a>, a Scottish scientist known for his work in endocrinology and reproductive biology. He was researching testosterone levels in sheep when he observed a correlation between declining testosterone levels and increased irritability and aggression<\/a> in rams after the mating season. He observed similar behaviors in other males when their testosterone levels dropped, eventually identifying the syndrome in red deer, reindeer and even Indian elephants. <\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s a state of hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration and anger that occurs in males that\u2019s associated with biochemical changes, hormonal fluctuations, stress and loss of male identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
– Dr. Jed Diamond<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
As years passed, the term was picked up by psychologists and men\u2019s health experts to describe similar emotional and behavioral patterns they were observing in human men, particularly in relation to age-related testosterone decline or stress-induced hormonal shifts. <\/p>\n
Psychotherapist and author Dr. Jed Diamond<\/a> has written the books \u201cIrritable Male Syndrome<\/a>\u201d and \u201cMister Mean: Saving Your Relationship From The Irritable Male Syndrome<\/a>.\u201d He described IMS this way: \u201cIt\u2019s a state of hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration and anger that occurs in males that\u2019s associated with biochemical changes, hormonal fluctuations, stress and loss of male identity. While it does usually occur in men later in life, I\u2019ve seen men in their 20s or 30s, who have poor diets, high stress and other factors, can also experience IMS.\u201d<\/p>\n
We react differently to this syndrome because it\u2019s more likely to \u201csneak up\u201d on those who have it and those who love them, said coaching psychologist James Davis<\/a>. \u201cThe hormonal changes of women\u2019s menopause happen in a relatively narrow window of time, but with age-related testosterone decline, it can be more of a \u2018slow drip\u2019 rather than a sudden moment. This means symptoms can often be passed off as being caused by aging, stress or a combination of both.\u201d <\/p>\n
While hormonal changes might jump-start IMS, other factors can play a role, Davis said. \u201cThose hormonal changes make men more anxious, which in turn can lead to irritability. There can be a crisis of self-identity that comes from declining physical performance, loss of muscle and lowered libido. When you overlay the stresses of managing a career, finances and relationships, plus the state of the world in general, you can see that many factors could make a man more irritable. Then add in broken sleep, a lack of experience or framework for expressing vulnerability or issues and increasing social isolation, and you can see how multiple factors can pile up to impact an individual.\u201d<\/p>\n
One man\u2019s experience<\/strong><\/p>\n
Israel Cassol<\/a> is a podcaster who began trying to raise awareness of \u201cmale menopause\u201d after he was diagnosed with the condition shortly after turning 40. He told the New York Post<\/a>, \u201cI was hesitant to share such intimate details of my life, but I needed to know if this was an issue others were facing. I couldn\u2019t believe the response I received from men describing similar symptoms I had suffered from.\u201d<\/p>\n
These days, he still promotes issues of men\u2019s health, offering this advice to HuffPost: \u201cMen shouldn\u2019t see this as a weakness or something shameful. It\u2019s a natural part of life for many, and talking about it helps break the stigma around men\u2019s emotional health. The sooner we recognize what\u2019s going on, the sooner we can take steps to improve things, and that makes a huge difference not just for men, but for their families and relationships, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suspect you may have IMS? Here\u2019s what to do<\/strong><\/p>\n
Diamond said that the first step should be a doctor\u2019s appointment: \u201cI\u2019d say that any man over 45 who is experiencing these symptoms consistently should see their doctor for a blood test to check testosterone levels.\u201d <\/p>\n
What happens if those levels are low? <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are effective lifestyle adjustments men can make to boost levels naturally, and there is also the option of testosterone replacement therapy, which is something that requires careful consideration,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n
What to do if a loved one seems like a likely candidate for IMS? Besides that medical evaluation, Diamond mentioned, Houman suggested encouraging healthy lifestyle changes like more balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep hygiene and reduced stress. \u201cKeep communication open and non-judgmental, and seek counseling if a relationship strain develops,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
What happens next<\/strong><\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to demonstrate compassion for this issue, Davis explained. \u201cYou need to realize that this isn\u2019t a personality change per se, but is likely a result of hormonal changes that affect behavior, emotion, cognition and even how that person shows up in the world,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He also said that this is an issue that needs more attention. \u201cWe need to bring andropause out into the open so that both men and women can appreciate what\u2019s going on with male hormones and psychology at this time of life. Midlife men are the highest suicide cohort, with a rate almost five times that of women of all ages, so the issue is significant and we shouldn\u2019t marginalize it by questioning its existence or attempting to downplay it,\u201d Davis added.<\/p>\n
Finally, Cassoll offered this encouragement: \u201cPatience and understanding are very important, because men going through this phase don\u2019t always realize what\u2019s happening to them. It helps if loved ones encourage healthier habits and also create space for honest conversations without judgment. Suggesting a medical check-up can be really helpful, because it reassures the man that he\u2019s not \u2018going crazy,\u2019 and that there are ways to feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.<\/strong><\/p>\n