PMS...Not just a woman thing!

I'm baaaaack!!!! Sorry for the hiatus folks! I promised that this blog would not be a discourse in "male bashing" and I intend to hold true to that. So for my male readers, please try not to take offense to this entry.

Lately, in conversations with friends and through my own experiences, the topic of men being moody just seems to keep coming up. It's a scientifically supported fact that the vast majority of women experience some form of PMS. But what about men? Have you ever called your guy, in a pretty good mood, ready to have a fun-loving conversation, only to be greeted by a healthy helping of attitude? Or maybe you found yourself in a crap storm of sarcasm when you tried to offer a bit of loving advice to a problem he was having. The truth of the matter is, men and women often experience cycles of mood swings throughout the month (sometimes even throughout the day!) thanks to our friend, the hormone. I recently read a book titled, The Alchemy of Love and Lust by Theresa L. Crenshaw, M.D. In it, she shares a great deal about how hormones influence our relationships. I also learned that men experience something called "viropause" the male equivalent to "menopause". So that got me thinking, if men experience "viropause" doesn't it stand to reason that they would also experience some form of "pms"? Absolutely!! If you think estrogen is a doozy of a hormone, just read this book to find out more about all the havoc testosterone can reek on a man's mood.

To All Men and Women: Variables of all kinds, including biochemistry, influence the way in which we react and interact with our significant others. Even the most compatible couples have had to duck a mood swing every once in a while. The best thing you can do when you find yourself in the throws of your partners mood swing, is to not let it trigger you. Do your best not to let their negative mood hijack your positive mood. Things like tone of voice and affection go a long way when trying to soften someones mood. Give it a try next time your woman.... OR man is experiencing "PMS"!