Moody Men
Irritable Male Syndrome May Affect Millions Of Men
POSTED: 4:50 p.m. PST November 7, 2003
UPDATED: 4:56 p.m. PST November 7, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- Listen to these symptoms: irritability, depression, bloating, raging hormones.
It's not premenstrual syndrome. They're actually symptoms of a condition that may affect millions of men.
Some researchers have termed this condition "irritable male syndrome" or IMS.
Although it's true that not all physicians believe in the existence of such a condition, there is agreement in the medical community that there is proper treatment to help the grumpy, middle-age men.
A few years ago, Michael and Connnie Hillegass hit a snag in their marriage -- something was different about Michael.
"It was like a switch was turned off," said Michael. "There was no lust. No desire."
Scott Simmons also noticed changes when he hit middle age.
"Tired, lethargic, didn't have a zest for work anymore, started gaining weight," said Simmons.
Both men went for help. Dr. Christopher Steidle said Simmons had irritable male syndrome.
"IMS is incredibly common -- up to 30 percent of men," said Steidle. "This is a male version of PMS or premenstrual syndrome."
Dr. Daniel Einhorn of Scripps Memorial Hospital agrees with the diagnosis but not the name.
"It's not a medical term," said Einhorn. "Again, there are many ways of trying to give people a handle of what's a relatively new understanding that men, as they age, may have some of the same problems that women have had as they age."
For example, testosterone levels can dip in men as young as their 30s, and some men do appear to have symptoms of depression, mood disturbance, irritability and loss of sexual desire.
It can be confusing for people who know the men and for their wives. Connie Hillegass blamed herself.
" 'Is he interested in someone else?' " Connie said she asked herself. " 'What's going on?' There's got to be a reason."
Dr. Larrian Gillespie believes there are two reasons for IMS.
"Under the circumstances of stress and then particular dietary changes, men exhibit these symptoms of irritable male syndrome much like women do with PMS," said Gillespie..
Gillespie believes men can fight back by eating right. Her book, "The Gladiator Diet," looks at what he-men of old used to eat before battle.
"People can't get a chariot through a drive-through, so there wasn't fast food," said Gillespie.
Fat and carbs can block the body's ability to use testosterone, Gillespie said, adding that proteins and unprocessed foods can help.
"Consuming a diet of around 300 to 350 calories about five times a day will keep testosterone and insulin levels smooth," said Gillespie.
Physicians can diagnose IMS with a blood test and a few questions. Still, the condition carries a stigma for most men. If their male-hormone level is low, blood testosterone is low, some may benefit from testosterone replacement.
Hormone therapy helped Michael Hillegas and Scott Simmons -- and it wasn't just Michael who noticed the changes.
"It's like, 'Wow, yes, this is a different guy,' you know," said Connie Hillegass. "There is a whole different personality."
Patients and doctors say there's no reason for a man to be grumpy, that there is help and that there is a simple thing to diagnose and a relatively straightforward thing to treat.
Another reason not to ignore the problem: Low testosterone levels are also linked with osteoporosis.
It's not premenstrual syndrome. They're actually symptoms of a condition that may affect millions of men.
Some researchers have termed this condition "irritable male syndrome" or IMS.
Although it's true that not all physicians believe in the existence of such a condition, there is agreement in the medical community that there is proper treatment to help the grumpy, middle-age men.
A few years ago, Michael and Connnie Hillegass hit a snag in their marriage -- something was different about Michael.
"It was like a switch was turned off," said Michael. "There was no lust. No desire."
Scott Simmons also noticed changes when he hit middle age.
"Tired, lethargic, didn't have a zest for work anymore, started gaining weight," said Simmons.
Both men went for help. Dr. Christopher Steidle said Simmons had irritable male syndrome.
"IMS is incredibly common -- up to 30 percent of men," said Steidle. "This is a male version of PMS or premenstrual syndrome."
Dr. Daniel Einhorn of Scripps Memorial Hospital agrees with the diagnosis but not the name.
"It's not a medical term," said Einhorn. "Again, there are many ways of trying to give people a handle of what's a relatively new understanding that men, as they age, may have some of the same problems that women have had as they age."
For example, testosterone levels can dip in men as young as their 30s, and some men do appear to have symptoms of depression, mood disturbance, irritability and loss of sexual desire.
It can be confusing for people who know the men and for their wives. Connie Hillegass blamed herself.
" 'Is he interested in someone else?' " Connie said she asked herself. " 'What's going on?' There's got to be a reason."
Dr. Larrian Gillespie believes there are two reasons for IMS.
"Under the circumstances of stress and then particular dietary changes, men exhibit these symptoms of irritable male syndrome much like women do with PMS," said Gillespie..
Gillespie believes men can fight back by eating right. Her book, "The Gladiator Diet," looks at what he-men of old used to eat before battle.
"People can't get a chariot through a drive-through, so there wasn't fast food," said Gillespie.
Fat and carbs can block the body's ability to use testosterone, Gillespie said, adding that proteins and unprocessed foods can help.
"Consuming a diet of around 300 to 350 calories about five times a day will keep testosterone and insulin levels smooth," said Gillespie.
Physicians can diagnose IMS with a blood test and a few questions. Still, the condition carries a stigma for most men. If their male-hormone level is low, blood testosterone is low, some may benefit from testosterone replacement.
Hormone therapy helped Michael Hillegas and Scott Simmons -- and it wasn't just Michael who noticed the changes.
"It's like, 'Wow, yes, this is a different guy,' you know," said Connie Hillegass. "There is a whole different personality."
Patients and doctors say there's no reason for a man to be grumpy, that there is help and that there is a simple thing to diagnose and a relatively straightforward thing to treat.
Another reason not to ignore the problem: Low testosterone levels are also linked with osteoporosis.Copyright 2003 by NBCSandiego.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
