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Men May Have Reason To Be Grumpy
Exact Cause Of Syndrome Still Unknown

UPDATED: 11:17 a.m. EST November 6, 2002

CLEVELAND -- Are you a man who is feeling irritable, depressed and bloated? Well, those are symptoms related to a condition called "irritable male syndrome," which may affect millions of men.
But there are available treatments that may help.
Connie Hillegass said she hit a snag in her marriage a few years ago because something was different about her husband, Michael.
"It's like a switch was turned off. There was no lust -- no desire," Michael Hillegass said.
Scott Simmons, an IMS patient, noticed changes when he hit middle age, too.
"(I felt) tired, lethargic, and (I) didn't have a zest for work anymore. (I) started gaining weight," Simmons said.
Both men sought medical help, and the diagnosis was IMS, according to urologist Christopher Steidle.
"Irritable male syndrome is incredibly common in up to 30 percent of men. This is a male version of PMS, or premenstrual syndrome," Steidle said.
When a man's testosterone level dips, it can result in depression, weight gain, a loss of energy, and a disappearing sex drive in men as young as their 30s, according to Steidle.
"Many of the symptoms are indistinguishable from old age, and for years you've always thought of it as a 'grumpy old man.' Now we know (what) the grumpy old man probably has," he said.
Steidle said the impact of IMS on the family is incredible. When the affection disappears, depression sets in, and it can be confusing for the woman behind the man. Connie Hillegass blamed herself.
"Is he interested in someone else? What's going on? There's got to be a reason," she said.
While the effect on men is clear, the cause is not. Does a man's diet play a role?
"The role of diet in triggering this syndrome is probably very minimal," Steidle said.
However, urologist Larrian Gillespie disagrees. She believes two things trigger IMS -- stress and diet.
"Under the circumstances of stress and then particular dietary changes, men exhibit these symptoms of irritable male syndrome, much like women do with PMS," Gillespie said.
Men can fight back by eating right, according to Gillespie, and in her book, "The Gladiator Diet," she reflects on what "he-men of old" used to eat before battle.
"People can't get a chariot through a drive-in, so there wasn't fast food," Gillespie said.
Fats and carbohydrates block the body's ability to use testosterone proteins, and eating unprocessed foods can help. Gillespie suggested a diet of approximately 300 to 500 calories about five times a day will keep testosterone and insulin levels smooth.
After following this advice, Simmons said, "My belly went away."
But Michael Hillegass said, "I'm more interested in just getting out and doing things."
Connie Hillegass also noticed the changes in her husband and she said, "It's like wow, yes, this is a different guy. (You) know, (he has) a whole different personality."
According to Gillespie, IMS has been linked with osteoporosis, or weakened bones, in men.
If you think you might suffer from IMS, stay away from foods like black licorice and breath mints. Gillespie said they contain a chemical that can dramatically reduce testosterone levels.