We have observed in our work with hundreds of men in the Midlife Transition that it is not unusual at all for men to experience cycles that contribute greatly to Mood Swings. What MissJacie has just experienced is something we see frequently. Although loving and committed for several days at a time he suddenly appears to have changed posture to irritable, withdrawn, sad, or angry. Are such things normal? We believe it is.

We understand now that men at both ends - Puberty & Midlife experience fluctuations in their mood inventory very akin to fluctuations in Testosterone. I have heard it said that a “midlife crisis” is much like “puberty in reverse”. One might understand this comparison quite easily when you can stand by and observe.

Although for a very long time women have been ‘cursed’ by negative attitudes to their hormone cycles, the prevailing attitude now seems to be that these cycles are completely normal, healthy biological processes. Rightly so and about time! In many ways, we are fortunate that the subject of female hormone cycles is so talked about. But ask any woman about the men in her life – father, husband, son or partner. Ask her if, in her opinion, they too succumb to odd moods and ailments on a regular basis. Her answer will frequently be affirmative. Tell a woman that her father, husband, son or partner has hormone cycles and mood swings, and she won’t be too surprised. Yet many men would be. It’s unfortunate when men’s important health issues are not acknowledged, as this frequently leads to a decline not only in health, but in work and personal relationships too, as a matter of fact, their wellbeing in general.

Both men and women produce exactly the same hormones, but in different quantities. Men produce far more testosterone than women, and fluctuations in this hormone can affect men dramatically.

Men have five testosterone cycles that we know of:

Hourly cycles:
A man’s testosterone level fluctuates four to five times an hour. There is also research that indicates men think of sex approximately four to five times an hour, which would seem consistent with the fluctuating testosterone levels.

Daily cycles:
Testosterone levels rise and then fall over a 24-hour period. Levels are highest first thing in the morning (usually around 5 am) and are lowest late in the afternoon. Consequently, libido is usually highest in the morning and lowest in the afternoon.

Monthly cycles:
Testosterone fluctuates monthly and results in a number of symptoms similar to the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) experienced by women. Every man’s cycle is unique. Some men are very regular, and experience their testosterone low approximately every 28 days. Others have irregular cycles.

Seasonal cycles:
Testosterone levels also rise and fall over the period of a year. Studies show that men in the US, France and Australia experience their highest level of testosterone in October and their lowest in April, despite the different seasons in each hemisphere.

Once MissJacie understands the potential of these “cycles” that he may be going through she will gain a distinct advantage in understanding him. In a “low” cycle he may earnestly assert that THIS is his reality. On the “up” cycle he may even have difficulty remembering some of the things he said while on the “low” – the “up” cycle IS his reality. Often by learning his cycle you can learn how to communicate or when to detach.

Newman Hart
Founder,FortySixty.Org