The question of whether men experience a “time of the month” arises from the noticeable mood and energy shifts many men experience. While men do not have a monthly, reproductive-driven hormonal cycle comparable to the menstrual cycle, their endocrine system is not static. Male hormones, primarily testosterone, fluctuate continuously on different timescales—daily, seasonal, and lifespan-related—which profoundly influence well-being and behavior.
Understanding the Difference Between Cycles
The idea of a “time of the month” is rooted in the female menstrual cycle, a predictable, approximately 28-day rhythm governed by the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone to prepare for potential pregnancy. This cycle results in dramatic, cyclical changes in physical and emotional state. Men’s primary sex hormone, testosterone, is produced and released continuously, not in a monthly pattern.
Male hormonal patterns involve shorter, more frequent fluctuations, such as ultradian (less than 24 hours) and circadian (24 hours) rhythms, and much longer, circannual (yearly) and age-related changes. Continuous production eliminates the need for the sharp, monthly hormonal peaks and troughs seen in the female reproductive cycle.
The Daily Rhythm of Testosterone
The most significant and predictable fluctuation in male hormones is the circadian rhythm of testosterone, a 24-hour cycle synchronized with the body’s sleep-wake pattern. Testosterone levels are highest in the early morning, often called the “morning surge,” and gradually decline throughout the day. This peak can be 30–35% higher than levels measured in the mid- to late-afternoon for younger men.
This daily rhythm is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a signaling pathway between the brain and the testes. During the night, the hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). LH then signals the testes to produce testosterone, resulting in the morning peak. Production is closely tied to sleep, with the highest levels occurring during REM sleep. This mechanism explains why energy, focus, and libido are strongest at the start of the day and wane toward the evening, when testosterone levels reach their lowest point, typically between 7 and 9 p.m.
Seasonal and Age Related Fluctuations
Beyond the daily cycle, testosterone levels are subject to longer-term fluctuations that influence mood and physical state. Some evidence suggests a circannual, or seasonal, rhythm, although findings are inconsistent. Research sometimes indicates that total testosterone levels are lower during spring and summer and higher during fall and winter, while other studies find the opposite or no significant seasonal change.
These longer-term shifts, along with the natural decline over decades, contribute to broader changes in well-being. Total testosterone levels begin a gradual decline of about 1.6% per year after a man’s 30s, a change sometimes referred to as andropause. This long-term decrease can lead to symptoms like fatigue, low mood, and reduced libido. The psychological effects of these shifts, combined with short-term dips, are sometimes colloquially grouped under the term “Irritable Male Syndrome” (IMS), which describes periods of increased moodiness or irritability linked to hormonal changes.
External Factors That Disrupt Hormone Balance
The dramatic mood and energy swings often mistaken for a monthly cycle are frequently the result of acute external factors overriding natural rhythms. The most powerful disruptor is sleep deprivation, as quality sleep is necessary for the nightly testosterone surge. Men who sleep fewer than six hours per night can experience significantly reduced testosterone levels the following day, immediately affecting mood and cognitive function.
Chronic stress is another major factor, elevating the stress hormone cortisol, which is antagonistic to testosterone production. High cortisol levels actively suppress the HPG axis, reducing the body’s ability to produce and utilize testosterone. Furthermore, rapid lifestyle changes, such as extreme dieting or excessive endurance exercise, can cause acute hormonal crashes. These extremes elevate cortisol and interfere with energy balance, resulting in a temporary but noticeable drop in testosterone and an associated slump in energy and mood.