Does having diabetes make men moody? Research says yes, confirming what generations of women have long held: As men age, their hormonal health changes dramatically.

(It’s not just women going through the Change, apparently! Who knew?)

Testosterone levels drop and estrogen levels rise, a condition known as Andropause. This generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 55. Unlike women, however, who can tie menopause to the cessation of the menstrual cycle, there’s no tangible physical symptom associated with andropause.

However, when these hormonal changes are coupled with the blood sugar fluctuations that are part and parcel of diabetes (especially poorly controlled diabetes) wild mood swings can occur. Men report having unusually strong or uncharacteristic emotional reactions to situations that would normally not bother them at all.

So if you’re a man who’s diabetic and between the ages of 40-55, you might want to keep an eye on your moods. Sudden changes in your emotional health can be a sign of andropause. Hormone replacement therapy has worked successfully for many men and may be well worth exploring with your doctor.

Don’t be shy about talking with your doctor! Andropause remains an underdiagnosed condition for a number of reasons. One of the most common is that some men find it difficult, nearly impossible, to admit that there’s a problem. Men in our culture are socialized to ignore their feelings — yet paying attention to those same feelings can play a critical role in one’s quality of life.