Is ‘man-flu’ real? What science says about how men and women experience illness differently

Man-flu explained: Why men may experience flu symptoms differently from women (Image: Pexels)

You must have heard the joke - men get "man-flu", a simple cold or flu that they dramatize and make into the biggest problem in their world and for people around them. It is a tongue-in-cheek label used to mock men who act to suffer more even from a common flu. But is it just a cultural stereotype, or is there some reality behind it?

In a recent Instagram video, a lifestyle and health creator, Doctor Myro, shows a man dramatically acting as though he is dying from a mild flu while the woman is casually going through her day. The clip shows the trope that men are perceived to overstate their symptoms, whereas women just go through the day like it's nothing. The video raises an important question: whether man-flu is just psychological or it has some biological merit to it?

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A post shared by Myro Figura MD | Anesthesiologist 💉 (@doctormyro)

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What Does Science Say?

In the video, Doctor Myro shares that research indicates sex hormones influence immune function. Testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen all affect how the immune system reacts to infection.

According to some research, women may have more effective viral clearance because they develop stronger innate and adaptive immune responses to specific viruses.

On the other hand, although the situation is complicated, increased testosterone levels in men are occasionally linked to immunosuppressive effects.

A stronger immune response, however, too has drawbacks: in some situations, it could result in increased inflammation or more severe symptoms.

Also Read: H3N2 Flu in Delhi-NCR: Symptoms, prevention and recovery tips from doctors

Some research has shown that male mice had worse outcomes when infected with influenza.

However, there is no strong evidence to prove that a healthy man will suffer more dramatically than a woman with the same viral infection.

So, is man-flu a psychological phenomenon?

While man-flu is not a formal medical condition, the term “man-flu” is not a medical diagnosis. But it is overly simplistic to reduce a man-flu to pure psychology, and some biological sex differences do exist between how men's and women's immunity works.

FAQs on Man-Flu

1. What is man-flu?

Man-flu is a colloquial term used to describe men who are perceived to exaggerate the symptoms of a common cold or flu.

2. Is there any scientific basis for man-flu?

Some research indicates that sex hormones can influence immune function, and men may experience different immune responses compared to women.

3. Are men more affected by flu than women?

There is no strong evidence to suggest that healthy men suffer more dramatically than women from the same viral infection.

4. Is man-flu a formal medical condition?

No, man-flu is not a formal medical condition or diagnosis; it is a term often used humorously to mock perceived overreactions.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.