So, according to The Telegraph, a quarter of men believe they experience ‘man periods’.
Ladies, I’ll let that sink in for a second.
As part of a study of 2,412 people (50% male, 50% female), the men were asked if they frequently suffered the same side effects of PMS which include tiredness, cramps and increased sensitivity.
The results? Twenty six per cent of men said they did, and incredibly 58% of women who’s partners had this ‘man period’ said they believed them.
For those who may be confused, here’s a reminder of what a ‘period’ is according to the NHS: ‘A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when a woman bleeds from her vagina for a few days’. Where before your period, ‘your breasts might get bigger, you may feel bloated, or you may cry more easily.’
Dr Jed Diamond, a specialist in male social patterns, is adamant that the ‘man period’ or ‘Irritable Male Syndrome’ really exists.
Not all academics are entirely convinced. Dr Gregory Jantz, in The Telegraph has accused men of melodrama. ‘With women, it’s a fact of life that has to be dealt with,’ the doctor blogs, recognising that the female body undergoes a physically noticeable cycle.
‘Irritable male syndrome may be the most recent sticker slapped over the old mid-life crisis label,’ Dr Jantz continues, ‘but as far as I can tell, the idea has been around for a few years and it hasn’t gained much real traction among men.’
Men, once you start losing 5-12 teaspoons of blood from your junk every 28 days, then we can talk.
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Picture: Getty
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.