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Study shows men also suffer from PMS
By Elizabeth Hopkirk, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 10.09.04Stomach cramps, mood swings and hot flushes. Yes, it's that time of the month again.
But these are symptoms reported by men, not women. New research suggests men suffer from pre-menstrual-style symptoms, in some cases as badly as women.
The news is bound to be greeted with snorts of cynicism by most females.
But the study published today shows that the majority of men claim to suffer from a range of symptoms most usually associated with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
Dr Aimee Aubeeluck of the University of Derby, who carried out the study, said: "We asked 50 men and 50 women lots of questions about symptoms normally associated with PMS and we found men actually scored higher than women in everything apart from water retention."
The men admitted to feeling antisocial and suffering poor concentration; depression; lack of arousal; hot flushes and pain - including stomach cramps, back pain and headaches. The team believes that the reason that men complained more than women may be because of their alleged lack of forbearance when it comes to illness.
Dr Aubeeluck, who is presenting her findings to the British Psychological Society conference today, said: "There is some evidence to suggest that pain thresholds differ between men and women so it could just be perception of pain.
"It could be women experience more pain but don't give it as much attention.
"When you are asking people to rate their experiences it is a little bit subjective." What causes the men's symptoms is, at present, a mystery. They may be triggered by stress but Dr Aubeeluck said the findings were significant enough to warrant further research.
She and colleague Joanne Worsey will now study couples over several months to discover if symptoms are cyclical for both men and women.
She said: "If men are experiencing big changes in mood, surely that should be addressed.
"While some may be coping, others may be wondering why they feel so down.
"It's really important for men that if they are suffering they feel they can talk about it and seek treatment."
The suggestion that men suffer from a form of PMS is bound to divide opinion - as has the theory of the male menopause.
Many doctors, including some British specialists, believe middle-aged men experience a sudden fall in testosterone - a hormone responsible for sex drive, sperm production and muscle tone.
However, a American study said that those who complain of hot flushes, excessive sweating, depression and a lack of sex drive are probably suffering the side effects of being overweight, lazy, smoking and drinking too much.
More than 50 per cent of men in their fifties are thought to suffer lethargy, lack of interest in sex, mood swings and even hot flushes, all of which could be caused by a lack of testosterone.
Yet in the study, of 1,700 men from Massachusetts, testosterone was found to decline very gradually with age, at about one per cent a year. The team concluded it was their unhealthy lifestyle that caused the unpleasant symptoms.
Reader views (11)
I actually was looking up information because I have had similar experiences with my husband. We have been together for 9 years and I have noticed that he gets very moody and depressed right before I start my ownmonthly PMS symptoms. Needless to say that makes the beginning of "that time of the month" pretty ugly with both of us moody, cranky, and easily upset, especially if I end up crying.
It's comforting to know that there are other people out there who have similar experiences with their partners and it's not just all in my head.
- Deanna, Ann Arbor, MI
female pms is not the same as the so called male pms. "male pms" is triggered due to lifestyle issues, which happens to both men and women. females pms just because they are female.
so basically, females have to deal with the real pms just for being a woman and the so called "male pms" just for being a human.
- Hmm, hmmm
I am highly interested in this topic and am currently studying physiology at university, and have also recently got married. i think it is highly likely that males have hormonal changes throughout the month, but i don't see why the cycle can't be due to females in close living or working situations. Women hormone signal to each other, causing their menstruation patterns to correspond, surely men are also being affected by this too. Since we have been married and living together, my husband has been showing PMS symptoms along with me, but he wasn't before. Maybe i am the one affecting his moods when i am feeling hormonal. Is this a possible explaination?
- Kathrine Burdon, England, Leeds
How would you call PMS in men ?
- Eliana, Cooper City Florida
im a male and im also gay, but i have more female horomones in me than a male and that is real. i always get really mean around the end of the month everymonth. so i think that guys have a pms cycle they just dont tell you about it, but it could just be me because i was ment to be a female im sure of that.
- Cord Gibson, united states, crawfordville
I am convinced that my husband has a monthly hormonal cycle like PMS. Has anyone heard of any research proving that men go through a cycle like women?
- Ellen, Bergen County, NJ
My husband gets verry mean and hateful exactly seven days before my period I don't get PMS he does it for me thats the only way i know when i will get my period. Iam 38 and he is 35. what can we do?
- Teresa, Florida,U.S.
I had never heard of this "issues" or symptoms until recently while taking a Woman and Communication class. As we talk about it in class there were very few people that knew about it, but I think it makes sense. As I looked up the matter, I began to do some critical thinking (which college teaches us to do very well) and realized that yes I could say that I have PMS. Although mine is more on the emotional. I know it's there because it happens around the same time every month, and then I got back to my normal self. I'm only 23 and healthy and although I think life style might impact it, I also think being aware can help answer other issues that might come from not knowing this.
- Carlos, London, UK
Finally! This explains so many things, especially in regards to my male boss's mood swings! It has made my day and my life much clearer knowing that men suffer with PMS!
- A, Solihull, England
My wife has lost her libido since having children, but her PMS symptoms have virtually stopped. As you might imagine it has taken a lot of discussion and communication to cope with the loss of sex life and to help we started keeping diaries.
One thing became obvious after a few months - My ability to cope with her lack of interest in sex is much worse in the days leading up to her period when I get more moody, more frustrated and feel rejected and lonely. Once her period is complete the depression lifts and we can manage the libido issue with communication once again.
I'd hesitate to call it Male PMS but it certainly shows similar symptoms and the timing fits perfectly - my guess is that as her hormones/pheromones change normally I am affected, but her lack of libido makes her unaware of it - so my frustration grows.
It sucks but is interesting to contemplate, and at least an explanantion helps us to deal with it.
- Reg, Cambridge, England
My husband has always claimed that men can get PMT. Please note he has 3 sisters. He is now 43, a lot heavier, smokes like a chimney and drinks a lot. Lately he has become nasty and unbearable. But then wants a hug half and hour later. I've noticed that it has coincided with my PMDD this month. He used PMensT as a reason. What a cop out. I think I agree with the American explanation, as my husband is certainly not doing very much at all these days.
- Lizzy, Brisbane, Australia
