Dear Dr Milrod:

Why is it that sometimes I go through a period of being extremely horny? These periods last about a week or two and then I return to normal which isn’t bad also. I have been like this all of my adult life and now I’m in my 50’s and fit and still go through it. Please let me know, it’s a good thing but I’m curious.

Middle-aged Stud

Dear Middle-aged Stud:

Just like females, males also have hormonal fluctuations. In the past, it was believed that a steady stream of testosterone circulated in men’s bodies and that there was little variation in mood, affect, physical condition, etc. Now we know that it’s not so.

Testosterone fluctuates and there are certainly spikes in a man’s diurnal rhythm. Certain stimuli can spike testosterone levels; check this one out for amazement:

Psychologists at Knox College in Illinois enrolled 30 male students in what they described as a taste study. The researchers took saliva samples from the students and measured testosterone levels. They then seated the young men, one at a time, at a table in a bare room; on the table were pieces of paper and either the board game Mouse Trap or a large handgun. Their instructions: take apart the game or the gun and write directions for assembly and disassembly.
Fifteen minutes later, the psychologists measured saliva testosterone again and found that the levels had spiked in men who had handled the gun but had stayed steady in those working with the board game!

Otherwise, we know that normal testosterone levels peak at 4-8am and dip at night. A man’s testosterone levels can fluctuate as much as 4-5 times per hours. In addition, much like ebb and flow, levels can dip for a few weeks due to physical illness or mental stress, only to pop back up and get all nice and level again. It’s a good thing you haven’t hit andropause yet, because you would probably feel it. Men in their 50s-60s frequently report irritation, low-grade depression, loss of muscle tone, erection/ejaculation difficulties and in general feeling a loss of vigor. While this is normal and age-related, no guy truly expects it to happen. Hence, a whole new medical specialty – andrology – has sprung up, complete with all sorts of testosterone supplements and anti-aging medicines. While some of these treatments are clearly valid, there are great risks with supplementation of testosterone and above all, HGH (human growth hormones.) So all you boys who still have spikes and long periods of elevated T – enjoy them for all they’re worth as long as you can!

Christine Milrod, PhD