When we think of perimenopause, we typically think of women hot flushes, mood swings, sleepless nights, brain fog… the usual suspects. But what if I told you that men can experience many of the same symptoms?
Sounds strange, right?
But it’s not as weird as it seems.
I want to lift the lid on something most people don’t talk about…
It’s not just about oestrogen or testosterone it’s about insulin
Let’s start with the basics.
We often blame hormonal chaos in midlife entirely on sex hormones like oestrogen or testosterone. And yes, those play a big role. But one hormone often goes unnoticed: insulin.
Insulin is your master hormone.
If it’s out of balance, it disrupts everything else in your body. That includes mood, energy, sleep, libido, fat storage, and even temperature regulation (hello, hot flushes!).
Whether you’re male or female, if you:
- Eat too much sugar or processed carbs
- Snack all day long
- Skip meals and then binge
- Constantly ride the blood sugar rollercoaster
…you’re creating the perfect storm for insulin dysregulation.
So, yes, men can have “perimenopausal” symptoms
A colleague recently told me about a male client who had a full-on hot flush.
Yes, sweating, flushed face, sudden heat surge. Just like women going through perimenopause.
Why? His insulin was out of control, which created a cascade of hormonal chaos that looked suspiciously like female perimenopause symptoms.
So, while men don’t technically go through perimenopause, many do experience:
- Hot flushes
- Mood swings
- Energy dips
- Brain fog
- Sleep problems
- Increased belly fat
Sound familiar?
The root cause is often the same
The great news is that we don’t have to guess. If you’re in midlife and feeling “off,” there’s a high chance insulin is the real issue.
And the fix?
Ditch the sugar (even the “healthy” hidden kinds)
Reduce processed carbs
Embrace real, whole foods
Incorporate strategic fasting (the right way for your body)
Support your body’s natural hormone production
We’re more alike than we think
Hormones don’t follow gender stereotypes.
When insulin is imbalanced, anyone male or female can feel like their body is going haywire.
So, if your partner, client, or even YOU are experiencing these “perimenopausal” symptoms and can’t figure out why… look at insulin first. It could be the missing link.
Let’s talk about it
This is a conversation worth having.
Have you noticed these symptoms in the men in your life?
Or maybe you’ve experienced them yourself and never made the connection?
I’d love to hear your thoughts agree, disagree, or just curious to learn more?
Drop a comment or get in touch. I’m always here to chat.
Ready to take back control of your hormones?
Check book a chat and let’s work with your body, not against it.