Mood swings or male irritability are common symptoms of hormonal imbalance associated with andropause.  While a topic of humor in Curb Your Enthusiasm or Grumpy Old Men, for many men, mood swings are a reality and can cause serious behavioral changes that are not laughable.

Behavioral characteristics associated with mood swings might include:

• Frustration

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Hostility towards those you care about

• Sarcasm

• Defensive comments

• Dissatisfaction

• Tense

• Saddness

Mood swings vary.  Some men lose their temper and act out of control, while others conceal their emotions often leading to depression.  Other symptoms of hormonal imbalance that can contribute to mood swings include weight gain, insomnia and fatigue.

The Role Hormones

Low testosterone levels, high estrogen levels and stress can all cause mood swings and irritability.  Testosterone deficiency during normal hormonal imbalance of andropause is the main contributor to mood swings, yet high estrogen levels can also be a factor in increased irritability.

In addition, high stress levels can impact the stress hormone corisol decreasing testosterone levels further and making mood swings more probable.

Alternative Treatments: Mood Swings

Overwhelmed by the emotional and physical impacts of mood swing, many men go into denial as they fail to cope with the changes they are experiencing.  It is important to understand, that the hormonal imbalance of andropause is a normal process of aging and can be relieved.

They key is rebalancing your testosterone levels through bioidentical hormone therapy, exercise and proper nutrition.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with natural hormones provides a gentle, safe and effective way to restore hormonal balance, relieving many of the symptoms associated with aging and resulting in the recovery of youth and vitality. Unlike the synthetic hormones (HRT), which are produced from plant progesterone, animal estrogens and not identical to our hormones, bioidentical hormones are exact replicas of the hormones produced by our bodies naturally.  Based on compounds found in nature, typically soy beans and wild Mexican yams, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are recognized by the body as its own.

Proper nutritional supplementation, such as transdermal testosterone cream can also play an important role in relieving symptoms of mood swings and overall health and prevention.

To assess your symptoms and to learn more about how bioidentical hormones and other safe and effective tools of Age Management medicine can lead to hormonal balance, relieve symptoms of mood swings  and improve overall well-being, contact a certified RestoreMD bioidentical hormone doctor in your area.