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Mid-Life Men: What Families Should Know

THE IRRITABLE MALE SYNDROME

by Jed Diamond

The male mid-life is often talked about in general or humorous terms, but rarely is it discussed seriously. Jed Diamond is a world authority on men in the mid-life period, and here he suggests an alternative to the traditional treatment given to men in the media.

I have been a psychotherapist for 35 years and have seen too many men destroy their own lives and the lives of those they love because they didn’t understand the inevitable changes that go on in a man’s body, mind, and spirit at mid-life.

I’ve found that my understanding of these issues has been greatly expanded since recognizing that men go through a form of “male menopause,” generally between the ages of 40 and 55. Marc Blackman, M.D., chief of endocrinology and metabolism at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center says, “The male menopause is a real phenomenon and it does similar things to men as menopause does to women, although less commonly and to a lesser extent.”

I believe thousands of families could be saved from spliting apart if men and women learned about the newest research findings on this crucial time of life.

More than 25 million men in the U.S. are now going through male menopause.

52% of men between 40 and 70 suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction.

Men, like women, experience complex hormonal rhythms that affect their mood, their physical well-being, and their sexuality.

Emotional symptoms include irritability, worry, indecisiveness, and depression.

Physical symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, short-term memory loss, and sleep disturbances.

Sexual symptoms include reduced libido, fear of sexual failure, and increased desire to “prove” he can still perform by seeking a younger partner.

Male menopause is like puberty the second time around where a man must face issues of identity, sexuality, dependence, and independence.

When a man is going through Male Menopause it makes it very difficult to be an effective parent.

A Woman’s Concern

I receive hundreds of letters a week from women who are confused about what is happening to the man of the house. “I believe my husband is experiencing male menopause,” this one began. “My husband attended a training course away from home for five weeks. He asked me to visit during the third week, which I did. It was like a romantic get-away for both of us. But when he returned two weeks later something had changed.

I knew something was wrong when I met him at the airport. He was very moody, said nothing was wrong, and wouldn’t talk. When we made love, he found it difficult to obtain an erection and seemed angry when I tried to talk with him. Since then he’s become more and more withdrawn and uncommunicative. He insists there isn’t another woman involved and seemed surprised that I would even bring it up.

What really hurts is how he treats our daughter. They have always been very close, like best pals. Lately he is critical of everything she does. He snaps at her, then apologizes, and later does it all over again. She and I both feel we have to walk on egg shells. Clearly something is very wrong. Our daughter is beginning to spend more time away from home. I’m sure it’s because she is so hurt by her father’s sudden change of behavior. What’s going on? What can I do?”

A Man Gains Insight

Jake wrote me to tell me how he had come to understand that Male Menopause was at the center of the stress he was experiencing with his family. “I’m 45 year’s old and have been married to my wife for 23 years. We have four children who range in age from 9 to 19. Until recently I was the kind of Dad I had always wanted to be—involved with their lives, caring, concerned. But something changed when I hit 40. Not since I was a child did I feel such a deep-seated anger and sadness. I would yell at the kids, which I never used to do. Late at night I’d lay in bed with my wife and cry my eyes out. I couldn’t believe it was me. I’m a grown man, a truck driver, for heaven’s sake, throwing a tantrum like a four-year old or bawling like a baby.

I never knew that depression in men often expresses itself in anger. That was certainly the case with me. I was often irritated and grouchy and sometimes would have angry outbursts over the least little thing. I would tend to blame it on my wife or the kids. I know they began to withdraw and lose respect for me, which made me feel even worse.

One of the most difficult aspects of this time of life is the uncertainty. I question everything. I have faith in nothing. Even though I hate the way I feel, I can’t seem to do anything constructive. I seem to be on a downward slide and I am destroying my family. There are times I think of killing myself. At least I wouldn’t be hurting those I love the most.

I can thank my wife for helping me break out of this destructive cycle. She lovingly, but firmly encouraged me to talk to a counselor. I resisted for a long time, but finally went to see someone. It was the most important decision of my life. My family is recovering from my “mid-life crazies.” I’m beginning to be a loving husband again and my kids tell me that they are glad they have their father back.

Side Bar: 12 Tips for Dealing with Male Menopause in the Family

• Recognize that when one member of the family is having problems, it affects all the others in the family as well.
• Like puberty, menopause is an inevitable life passage. Be alert to the most common signs of Male Menopause including the following:

Loss of sexual desire for marital partner

Problems with erections

Irritability and anger

Fatigue and low energy

Marital and family conflict

• Be aware that men and women often go through the “change of life” at the same time. A great deal of mutual understanding is needed to support each others’ process.
• Recognize that parents often go through menopause while their children are going through adolescence. Since these stages of life are similar conflicts can arise if not understood. For instance, a father can get angry at his daughter’s emerging sexuality because he is uncomfortable with his own sexual changes.
• Realize that Male Menopause generally arises slowly over a number of years. Symptoms may be difficult to recognize and interpret.
• Be aware that for some men the symptoms can arise very quickly. “It seemed like one minute he was the normal, loving guy I have always known. The next minute he was moody, angry, and withdrawn,” one woman told me.
• Appreciate the fact that Male Menopause is often precipitated by changes within and without including:

Disability or death of parents, friends, or colleagues

Children leaving home

Job changes or fears of job loss

Slowing down or loss of physical abilities

Sexual dysfunction and worries about virility

Concerns about future goals and directions

Financial worries.

• Accept that most men will initially deny they have a problem. Since male identity is shifting, even contemplating such a change can be terrifying to a man.
• Understand that there are a number of steps to accepting and dealing with Male Menopause:

Step 1: There is no problem here.

Step 2: If there is a problem here it must be you who has it. You need help.

Step 3: If there’s some problem with me, it is minor. (I just need to relax more).

Step 4: If the problem may be more serious, I can handle it myself.

Step 5: Even if I need help, there’s no one who would understand.

Step 6: If someone understands I need help, I just want him to give me a quick fix (like changing the fluids in my car) and get me back on the road.

Step 7: I guess I’m more complex than my car and I may need support with hormonal, physical, emotional, interpersonal, sexual, social, economic, and spiritual aspects of my life.

• Accept the fact that most medical professionals don’t understand or accept the concept of Male Menopause. Research on Male Menopause is still about 30 years behind research on menopause in women.
• Realize that the predominantly male medical establishment is caught it its own denial. Surveys have shown a significantly higher acceptance of the concept of a Male Menopause among female physicians than their male counterparts.
• Rejoice in the fact the Male Menopause can be treated through a variety of modalities including:

Hormone replacement therapies

Exercise and diet

Herbs and medications

Stress reduction, relaxation, and body centered therapies

Cognitive and psychotherapeutic support

Couples and family therapy.

About the Author: Jed Diamond, a licensed psychotherapist for 38 years and director of the health program MenAlive, is the author of seven books, including the international bestseller Male Menopause. He is on the board of advisors of the Men's Health Network and also serves on the international scientific board of the World Congress on Men's Health. He lives in Willits, California.

For more information, please visit www.menalive.com or www.writtenvoices.com.