What Would Happen if Men Lost their Testosterone for a Few Days Each Month?

What Every Woman Needs to Know About PMS:
It's not the hormones...it is the departure of hormones as our cycle "resets."

Last night I asked my 15 year old son if he knew what PMS is; he said, " Of course: something with your period."

He then struggled a bit with the acronym. I looked at him in his 15-year-old frame that has developed seemingly overnight. I couldn't help but wonder how he would handle it if once a month his beloved testosterone plummeted for a few days. Just thinking about the hormonal chemistry of a man and applying a very cyclic nature to it would really open some eyes to the priorities of Mother Nature.

It is always of interest to me that my patients blame their hormones for so many changes when usually it is the decline in the hormones that's behind the complaint. Yes, we women are somewhat manipulated by our fabulously intricate hormonal chemistry. I say somewhat, as scientific enlightenment has allowed us to take more of a proactive role in understanding the post pubertal ups and downs, but still so much remains a mystery.

Wikipedia does a pretty good job at examining PMS. I have to admit that the quoted theory that mood changes occurring after unfertilized ovulation may be an adaptation to move on to a more fertile man -- is amusing, but inaccurate. The female body does assume for almost two weeks out of every cycle that a woman is indeed pregnant. It is only after 12-14 days post egg release that the ovary gives up hope, and lets the hormones fall in order to signal another cycle to begin again. This doesn't leave much time for forming a new relationship.

Why is the cyclic withdrawal of hormonal support often problematic? Even more confusing is that before puberty there are very few sex hormones circulating and yet the brain doesn't miss them. In fact, many young girls are more confident and independent before the power of estrogen arises from our ovaries; so why the negativity? The answer is in the chemistry of the brain. The hormones prop up social behavior. Mother Nature doesn't leave our inclination to "hook up" to random chance...it is encouraged by tiny amounts of very powerful molecules that set up rewards, a.k.a. Dr. Pavlov's theory. When the hormones fall, as they do usually 21 to 25 days after the start of a period (if she is not pregnant), the reward chemicals are withdrawn suddenly, as if to say, "Try harder next time." Yes, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone elevate feel good chemicals (neurotransmitters)in the brain such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. When these magic molecules depart, they are sorely missed by the brain... a mini withdrawal can ensue that feels like we're being cheated. This shift affects everything from verbal ability, to memory, mood, libido, metabolism, complexion, energy level, blood sugar regulation, pain tolerance, and so on.

How to balance the withdrawal and pump up the feel good neurotransmitters:
(For more information see: http://venusweek.com/home.asp)

• Eat phytoestrogens (plant estrogens): Edamame, hummus, nuts, nut butters, tofu, flax seeds and practically any source of plant protein

• Exercise: combine cardio and resistance types

• Meditate, or practice yoga, Pilates, or any discipline that inspires focus and mindfulness

• Take your supplements: A multivitamin, calcium (at least 1000 mg a day in divided doses), vitamin D (1000 IU a day), Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA dominant), up to 3000 mg a day during low hormone days

• Chocolate can help; the polyphenols in dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) have estrogen-like activity, but no more than 1 ounce a day.

• Sprinkle on the cinnamon; a half-teaspoon a day can help offset the negative metabolic effects of dropping hormones

Some of my patients take serotonin-enhancing medications (like some antidepressants), just "that time of the month." Often hormonal contraception can help, such as the pill, the ring, or even the progestin containing IUD. There are many tools, but success starts with a woman realizing what's going on, and speaking to her doctor.

My 14-year-old daughter takes great pride in her cycle related moods. Perhaps it is her knowledge based on her mother's years of explaining them over and over, or perhaps she enjoys the power of being a little "different" from day to day. Either way, she handles it and she wouldn't trade her XX gonads for the world. She also knows exactly what to do if she's feeling a bit deserted by her hormones: she exercises... more. Yes, there is always a way. Exercise elevates all of the magic brain reward chemicals that descend with PMS. No, it doesn't keep her from noticing the changes, but it helps... a lot. And when she can't exercise she takes in a few deep breaths, trying to mimic the positive mindfulness that she hears me go on and on about. When that doesn't work she goes for the ice cream, which always manages to get serotonin up.

It is clear that even within the menstrual cycle, Mother Nature giveth, and she taketh away. Interestingly, our brain becomes accustomed to the aesthetic of reproductive facilitation, and some of us want to keep it around not only all month, but until death if possible. For others, the absence of hormonal manipulation of the mind may be a relief, allowing a metamorphosis to a less distracted state. Whatever the case for the individual understanding the hormonal cycle is imperative for maximizing our physical and mental health, and the younger the woman is when she is enlightened, the better off she will be.

Comments

[Dr Raj Vastrad]

Hi Rebecca, Indeed this is enriching – enlightening.

Usually when-ever many people think of PMS they mostly think of women.

Albeit, researchers off-late discovered that many men suffer from a condition similar to PMS called Male Testosterone Syndrome MTS /Irritable - Male - Syndrome (IMS).

Men with IMS usually experience
Abdominal cramps/Discomfort
Mood swings, {Is Road Rage is one of the symtoms..?­?}
And even symptoms similar to hot flushes.

Symptoms are caused by multiple Neuro - Hormonal factors including dip in the male hormone testosterone, cascading effect on Adrenalin/­Noradrenal­in/Autonom­ic Nervous System.

Interestingly IMS can surface on any day of the month - because - unlike most women who experience regular monthly hormonal cycles, most - men experience a daily/diurnal hormonal cycle. In men the testosterone levels are highest usually after waking and gradually fall throughout the day (Important Point to consider..­!).

The various factors that can affect this diurnal hormonal pattern include:
Diet, Life Style – including –
Smoking,
Beverages,
Hydration,
Co-morbid conditions,
Etc – Etc.

In my next posting I will compile/present the clinical features of the IMS..!
[There will be more info also at: http://www.high-net-worth-happiness-happeace-now.com/support-files/men-advisory-service-hnwhhn-270409.pdf]

Until next time – Happy Hormone & Harmony.. To all ..!!

Dr Raj Vastrad
MD
Holistic Physician & Surgeon
http://www.funraj.com
http://hhn.net.au/holistic-medical

[Rebecca Booth, MD - Huffpost Blogger]

Very interesting indeed Dr. Raj! Thank you for the link, I'm sure i will be enlightened!

[pinkgoldfish]

Dr. Booth - please keep up the good, no GREAT work...sur­e wish I had this information at your daughter's age, but it is never too late! I have read your book, The Venus Week and gained such an understanding and, dare I say, appreciation of my hormonal dance. It all makes perfect sense to me now - and I do feel liberated with the knowledge. Love your website - and the handy Venus Week Supplement Shopping List...can­'t wait for your next post!

[RMankovitz]

Your son should not feel bad that he does not fully understand PMS. Apparently, neither does the medical community. In the medical review paper "The Monthly Malady: A History of Premenstrual Suffering" by Michael Stolberg, MD, PhD, he states "Various causes have been proposed, ranging from hormone or electrolyte imbalances to the somatization of emotional conflict, but no consensus is in sight, and it has even been argued that there are several distinct premenstrual syndromes. Definitions tend to be correspondingly general and vague."

As a research scientist and author of several books on illness prevention, it is unclear to me whether PMS is an environmentally induced syndrome, perhaps dating to the introduction of grains, beans and dairy into our diet about 400 generations ago, or is a perfectly natural one.

In this regard, I disagree with the suggestion to eat soybean products. High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, interfering with the efficacy of calcium supplements. Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion. Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function, have the potential to cause infertility and promote breast cancer in adult women, and are potent anti-thyroid agents that may cause hypothyroidism. Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D, interfering with the efficacy of vitamin D3 supplements. For even more references, including the myth of soy as a staple of Asian diets, see "The Whole Soy Story" by Kaayla Daniel.

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[avicenna]

I think if one reviews epidemiologic data, they would find that soy intake over the life time is inversely associated with the development of breast cancer. From a basic science view point, phytoestrogens (from soy, flax seeds etc) provide negative feedback to the endogenous production of estrogen, but unlike synthetic xenoestrogens (such as bisphenol A) - they are easily metabolized by the main enzymes reponsible for breaking down steroidal hormones (the cytochrome p450 family of enzymes).

On the intriguing prospect of men getting a break from testosterone, I think their moods may actually become lighter as testosterone is often associated with aggressive behaviour - and hunting...­.

[RMankovitz]

I think if one were to review the studies since the ones you refer to that were conducted prior to 2005, you would find the following:

The Solae Company (a giant in the soy food industry) has withdrawn its petition submitted to the FDA for a soy protein and cancer health claim. Solae, a joint venture of Dupont and Bunge,
had applied in 2004 for a Cancer Prevention Health Claim with the intent of doubling the
sales of its product, soy protein.

A soy warning was issued by the Israeli Health Ministry, by expert scientists with the British Committee on Toxicity, by the Swiss Federal Health Service, by the French Food Agency, by the Cancer Council in Australia, and by other government agencies. They all expressed concern about soy's potential to disrupt the digestive, immune and neuroendocrine systems of the human body and its role in rising rates of infertility, hypothyroidism and some types of cancer. For details, see:

http://www.wholesoystory.com/newsletters/soyliath.pdf

http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/articles/soycancerwarning.htm

http://www.wholesoystory.com/newsletters/FrenchWARNING.pdf

Here is an "all you can eat" fully referenced review of the history of this Frankenfood:

http://www.cocoscience.com/pdf/why_you_should_avoid_soy.pdf

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[sdmonkey]

I created an account a few minutes ago just so I could respond to this article... It was enlightening, intelligently written, and very useful! Loved it! I would like to see more articles of this caliber in the "Living" section of Huffington Post. I have to mention that I was also impressed by the good grammar; too often I'm reading badly edited articles on this website. Thank you, Dr. Booth!