Men! Master your hormones

Who knew they have a cycle too?

While we’re all happy to talk about women’s monthly hormonal fluctuations, not many people are aware about the fact that men have a hormonal cycle too.

They actually experience a full cycle every 24 hours. But, while men do make progesterone and oestrogen, it’s their testosterone levels that are much more significant. Men have roughly 10 times more testosterone than women, so their cycle is about how their testosterone affects them.

Men's testosterone goes up and down four or five times an hour. However their most significant hormonal pull is their daily cycle where their testosterone goes from its peak in the morning to its lowest ebb at night, particularly in men aged under 45. Smart cookies will harness this knowledge about hormones to get the most out of the day.

Rise and shine

The morning testosterone peak, from 8am to 11am, makes men much more talkative, energetic, focussed and aggressive. They can also be more competitive, confident and impulsive. However, this will also make them quicker to anger and more inclined to turn down requests for favours. This is also the time when men are at their most virile and the best time to tackle tasks that require spatial skills.

This is the time to:

• take on DIY tasks
• tackle a project alone
• figure out the best route to somewhere
• enjoy sex
• not hear bad news or tackle tricky subjects

Reaching the mid-point

Around midday men are a bit more chilled out than they were in the morning – but don’t think there’s nothing left in the tank!  At this time, men are still upbeat, driven and focused, but not angered so easily. This is also a better time  to work as part of a team.

This is the time to:

• have meetings with customer or clients
• have a team meeting or brainstorming session
• go for a date

Bottoming out

Once we hit the evening, testosterone has well and truly dropped, men are much more low-key, passive and agreeable. This makes it a great time to suggest things, as men are much more likely to be open to it. At this point, men’s libido is at its lowest.

This is the time to:

• do relaxing activities such as watching a film or reading
• enjoy some affectionate cuddling

Handpicked article: 5 easy ways to boost men's health

Shop Men's Health Sources

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4501456/
www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=53725
www.myhormonology.com/male-hormone-cycle/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8370129