Men have a cycle too?

The female cycle is a much-discussed topic. But did you know men have a cycle too? The male cycle is shorter and less intense, but men can still experience it. There's even a male variant of PMS: Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS). Read all about it below.

The male hormone cycle, does it really exist?

Yes! Women have an average 28-day cycle. This cycle consists of four phases: the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. But men also have a cycle, with peaks and troughs. The main difference is that the male cycle restarts every 24 hours and often causes fewer symptoms.

But it doesn't stop there. Studies seem to indicate that men also have a seasonal cycle. This causes differences in testosterone production, meaning men produce less testosterone in the fall than in the spring, for example.

And what is the difference with women?

The male cycle is controlled by testosterone. In women, it's primarily estrogen and progesterone. Under the influence of these hormones, the woman's egg matures in about a month, creating a monthly rhythm. The male cycle lasts 24 hours. In addition, the female hormones fluctuate more frequently, which causes more symptoms.

The rhythm of the male cycle 🔁

At night, men produce testosterone. Testosterone levels rise to a morning peak around eight in the morning. From this point on, testosterone levels drop again. Between seven and nine in the evening, testosterone levels reach their lowest point. This happens again every 24 hours.

And what is the difference with women?

Men don't notice the nocturnal hormone production. This makes sense, because a good night's sleep increases testosterone levels. A good night's sleep is therefore naturally important for men.

In women, hormonal fluctuations do affect sleep. After ovulation and before menstruation, for example, estrogen levels drop, causing body temperature to rise. This disrupts both the duration and quality of sleep. This occurs in a woman's monthly cycle.

The male cycle and working life

Looking at the rhythm of the male cycle, it's perfectly aligned with daily work life and the sun's circadian rhythm. Thanks to this cycle, men are at their best during the day. Ideal for a standard nine-to-five workday.

Especially in the morning, the testosterone surge boosts energy, self-confidence, impulsiveness, and temperament. For the rest of the day, there's plenty of testosterone left to stay cheerful and driven.

In the afternoon, the remaining testosterone fuels productivity, focus, and teamwork. And just when testosterone levels really drop and men get tired, the workday is over 😴

And what is the difference with women?

The female cycle coincides with the irregular, monthly lunar rhythm and therefore doesn't follow this daily work rhythm. But the working world is primarily geared towards men 🤷‍♀️

Women are designed to plan their lives around the monthly rhythm of the moon, not the 24-hour rhythm of the sun.

But don't worry: Women can still get the same things done as men. All they have to do is manage their workload differently and not try to fit it into a standard 40-hour workweek. Read more about it here: Living According to Your Cycle.

As a woman, track your cycle and learn when you are best equipped to resume activities – you have the whole month to do this.

What does testosterone do for men?

Testosterone is an important male sex hormone. It is responsible for, among other things:

• vitality
• assertiveness
• well-being, motivation and self-confidence
• libido
• muscle mass and strength
• cognition and better memory

The effects are reflected in behavior. For example, young men's testosterone levels rise as soon as an attractive woman approaches. They also exhibit more risk-taking behavior.

Higher testosterone levels also lead to greater assertiveness and self-confidence. Furthermore, there are indications that testosterone makes men less empathetic. This makes sense, as too much empathy can lead to a man no longer standing up for himself and therefore less assertive.

Married men with young children often have lower testosterone.

And what is the difference with women?

Although testosterone is primarily a male hormone, it is also important for the female cycle. In women, it promotes the growth of skeletal muscle and pubic hair. It also stimulates sebum production and increases sexual desire. Testosterone production therefore increases just before ovulation.

Testosterone Decrease: Causes and Consequences

There are two types of testosterone collections:

• A temporary decrease due to, for example, the daily cycle or IMS
• The natural, continuing decline as men age

Both tests can cause complaints. We'll tell you more about this below.

A temporary fluctuation such as IMS

Men can experience fluctuations in their daily cycle, but also suffer from even greater (temporary) fluctuations. This is called Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS). Little is known about it, and research on this syndrome has only recently begun.

Symptoms may include:

• nervousness
• irritability
• lower libido
• low self-esteem
• fatigue and concentration problems

Men are more susceptible to IMS when testosterone levels fall below the normal limit.

This can be caused by factors such as stress, poor nutrition, anxiety, and depression. Sometimes it's also a sympathetic reaction. For example, if the partner's wife has PMS, the husband may also experience symptoms.

If you're a man who thinks you have IMS, it's wise to have your testosterone levels tested. IMS is more common than you think, so don't ignore these symptoms.

And what is the difference with women?

Women can also experience hormonal fluctuations. These symptoms are related to their monthly cycle and occur primarily just before menstruation. If you experience severe symptoms that disrupt your daily life, you may be experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

These can be severe symptoms such as serious mood swings, tense breasts, binge eating, cramps, anxiety, acne, headaches and bloating.

Read more about PMS here and what you as a woman can do to reduce the symptoms.

The Continuing Decline: Male Menopause

Much has been written about menopause in women: the moment when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Estrogen production drops by about sixty percent in a short period, and progesterone production stops almost completely. This often causes numerous symptoms.

But men also go through menopause. Starting at age twenty-five, testosterone levels slowly decline by about one percent per year. Initially, men barely notice this.

But around age 35 or 40, the decline can be extreme for a quarter of men. A significant decline causes symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause in women.

Symptoms of hormone decline in men include:

• less energy
• depression
• less muscle mass and strength, more abdominal fat
• lower libido and less hard erections
• react more emotionally

The natural decline in testosterone is unavoidable. However, menopause is less severe when men maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting enough sleep, (strength) training, eating well, and maintaining a normal body weight with a normal to low body fat percentage.

And what is the difference with women?

Around the age of forty, women enter menopause. Because estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly within a short period, women almost always experience significant discomfort. Among men, about a quarter experience menopause.

Testosterone supplements for men?

Some men, such as bodybuilders or men who produce little or no testosterone, use testosterone gel or other boosters. Sometimes men also use it to counteract the natural decline in testosterone.

Never do this without a doctor's guidance. Little is known about the consequences of self-administering testosterone. It would be fantastic if it were a miracle cure, boosting your libido, strengthening erections, increasing muscle mass, and reducing depression. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

A healthy testosterone level is more than just that. And we at Guud believe that too. A healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise, healthy eating, and a healthy mental state leads to more stable hormone levels and fewer symptoms.

We just mentioned that symptoms of low testosterone can manifest in various ways, such as decreased energy, depression, reduced muscle mass and strength, increased belly fat, lower libido, and less firm erections and increased emotional responses. Various vitamins and minerals have proven health benefits for some of these symptoms. We'll mention a few.

Magnesium contributes to, among other things…

• the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• a normal energy-yielding metabolism
• a normal psychological function

Zinc contributes to…

• normal fertility and reproduction
• the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood

Omega 3…

• The fatty acid DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function
• EPA and DHA contribute to the normal functioning of the heart

Vitamin B6 contributes to…

• the regulation of hormonal activity
• a normal energy-yielding metabolism
• the normal functioning of the immune system
• a normal psychological function
• the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• the normal functioning of the nervous system

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the male cycle and how it relates to the female cycle. Are you experiencing problems with your cycle or looking for other answers? Contact us, we're happy to help! 

Read more?

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