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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

"Womenopause" and Irritable Male Syndrome

Thursday December 19, 2002

In the "Pseudodictionary," which is the dictionary for "words that wouldn't make it into dictionaries, there appears the word "womenopause." This is defined as "the loss of male sexual drive and function later in life." While this explanation seems self-explanatory, I'm partial to the illustrative sentence provided in the Pseudodictionary and thus will share it -- I want to be sure you get the true sense for the word: "Cute blondes no longer had the same effect on Sean after he went through womenopause in his nineties."

Womenopause will probably not make it into standard dictionaries nor do I think it's likely to become a part of the "material medica" anytime soon. However, another term or phrase that seems related to Sean's problems just might, thanks to the imagination of a colleague named Jed Diamond. I refer to the phrase "Irritable Male Syndrome." Let me tell you a bit about Jed, after which I'll explain the new syndrome he claims to have discovered.

Jed is a psychotherapist who directs a health center called MenAlive; he is also a member of the board for the Men's Health Network. This organization exists to increase public awareness about the social and economic costs of health declines among men associated with aging. Yet another group that Jed promotes is the International Society for the Study of the Aging Male, which is also dedicated to improving the quality of life for men, but on a wider scale. In short, Jed considers himself "an educator and trainer in men's health, gender reconciliation and addiction prevention and treatment." He is the author of books entitled Male Menopause, Surviving Male Menopause and Men Alive: Sexuality, Health, and Longevity For Men.

Jed advised me that Rodale Press has committed to publish his latest work dealing with Irritable Male Syndrome. He claims it will explain "why nice men turn mean" mid-way through life." This man is nothing if not creative. As a certified (by my "significant other") "nice man," I hope Jed will not conclude that turning mean is inevitable for guys, or that the syndrome can only be prevented by following an irritable male 12-step program.

So, what exactly is "Irritable Male Syndrome," henceforth IMS, according to Jed?

Jed explains that female readers of his books gave him the idea by their pattern of complaints about male irritability, anger, and sullen withdrawal at a certain time in life, coincidentally occurring around the same time these women experience menopause. He quotes one female reader's lament: "It's like he's a different man. He had always been kind, considerate and caring. Now he treats us all so mean. I don't understand it." Jed sees it as another case of a guy falling victim to IMS.

Jed lists the following factors as contributors to IMS: hormonal, physical, psychological, emotional, interpersonal, sexual, social, cultural and spiritual changes. That seems to cover a lot and makes one wonder what changes do NOT contribute to IMS? Change of underwear, maybe? Jed describes IMS as "a state of hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration and anger that occurs in males and is associated with hormonal fluctuations, stress, and loss of male identity." Personally, I think guys who no longer realize they are male could have lots of added life complications. This could make anybody irritable. I hope Jed is able to help sufferers from IMS with his latest book.

"IMS is most noticeable in mid-life men who are in a relationship," Jed observes. This should surprise nobody, else who would notice the hormonal fluctuations, stress, and loss of male identity? However, Jed does emphasize that while a partner receives the brunt of IMS irritability, it IS present in males of all ages regardless of relationships or lack thereof. IMS is but the tip of the iceberg, Jed advises, that can "lead down one side to anger, rage, and violence and down the other side to sadness, depression, and suicide." It should be clear by now that IMS is nothing to mess around with, and is a subject deserving of more research.

In any event, be advised that Jed continues to study this breakthrough topic, and has requested feedback from all males and females who are willing to allow him to share their IMS stories with the world. If interested, write Jed at jed@menalive.com and help him stamp out IMS before it's too late.

Be well, and look on the bright side of life.

Domain: mental
Subdomain: factual knowledge

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