Bravery, toughness and coldness define a man. A real man proves his superiority through sex. A real man never cries.

These myths collapse as reality comes in: Men PMS just a little less than women.

No, you didn’t misread it. Studies have shown men go through daily, monthly and seasonal hormonal cycles along with andropause (male menopause).

The male version of PMS is irritable male syndrome (IMS), a state of hypersensitivity, frustration, anxiety, and anger that occurs in males. It results mainly from the level changes in testosterone during male hormonal cycles.

Learning about irritable male syndrome can be unusual but fun at the same time.

In 2006, psychotherapist Jed Diamond published the book “The Irritable Male Syndrome.” He claimed to write it based on his 40-year experience in clinical research and responses from 10,000 men.

Diamond explained that this syndrome occurs because certain amount of testosterone is converted to estrogen in the body. The less testosterone a man has, the more irritable he becomes.

Diamond said fat cells convert testosterone into estrogen more actively.

Not that chubby guys are any less attractive, but crossing fast food out of the list is not a bad idea.

This male syndrome can also be worsened by excessive alcohol consumption, illness, lack of sleep, lack of sex, stress or surgery.

Diamond said high testosterone levels make men more energetic. These levels rise hour by hour during men’s sleep and are highest in the morning. Men’s energy gradually dries up towards the end of the day.

Some may associate this with morning erections. Apparently, Romeos should not use up their last bar of energy at night and disappoint Juliets. More pleasure is just six to eight hours of sleep away.

Diamond said studies conducted in America, France and Australia found that men secrete highest levels of sex hormones in October and lowest levels in April, no matter which hemisphere they’re in–He later claimed testosterone levels peak in November.

Indeed, there were more American newborns in September than any other months in 2010, Babycenter declared.

Diamond said men’s monthly cycles are unpredictable and based around the individual.

While working on a 16-year study on daily testosterone fluctuations in males, endocrinologist Estelle Ramney happened to find out the existence of a 30-day period.

She then conducted another study tracking monthly mood and energy changes in male managers and workers in factories. Ramney consequently discovered an emotional cycle of four to six weeks.

The two studies combined showed that during low periods, men become apathetic, indifferent and overreacting to minor problems. During high periods, they enjoy well-being, energy, lower body weight and decreased need for sleep.

It seems like cold men lack testosterone rather than possess too much masculinity.

As I surfed the webs to investigate men’s monthly cycles, the introduction to every study pointed out how men responded poorly to the monthly cycle discovery.

Although male monthly cycles are not bloody like women’s periods, anything similar to PMS is a taboo.

Seeing men trying so hard to act tough and deny their true inner feelings, I feel sorry for them rather than admire them.

Now that we’ve learned men are not born tough and cold, masculinity needs redefining.

Sensitivity, affection and temperamentality exist in men. A real man doesn’t need to prove his superiority over women.

A real man cries if he wills.