Is 'Man Flu' Real? Why Some Men Struggle More with Cold and Flu Symptoms

The term “man flu” isn’t just used to describe an exaggerated response to cold and flu symptoms. Researchers have defined man flu as a popular term to describe hypersensitivity to rhinosinusitis (sinus infection) in men.A sinus infection can cause symptoms similar to the common cold and flu, including congestion, fatigue, and sometimes fever.

Some research suggests that women’s immune systems may respond differently, leading to milder symptoms compared to men.However, other studies indicate women with the flu may actually experience more severe symptoms than men.

While evidence for a biological basis for “man flu” is inconclusive, a 2022 study challenged this concept altogether. The authors argued that cold and flu symptoms vary widely and should not be attributed to gender differences. The idea of the “man flu” maystigmatizemen and discourage them from seeking appropriate care.

So why do some men appear to experience more severe cold and flu symptoms than women? Experts suggest social and psychological factors might play a role.

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Is There a Biological Explanation for Man Flu?

There is no high-quality research to support “man flu”—the idea that men suffer more from cold and flu symptoms than women. The perception of flu symptoms can vary from person to person, according toAlfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH, a professor and chair of the department of family medicine and community health at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University

Though we don’t know of any differences in how women’s and men’s immune systems protect against cold and flu, women may be more prone to flu.

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Is Man Flu a Result of Socialization?

One of the reasons may be societal expectations, according toPatrice Le Goy, PhD, MBA, LMFT, an international psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist based in California.

“I do feel like girls are raised differently, to be more nurturing and to be the ones taking care of people vs. being taken care of,” Le Goy told Verywell.

This belief may make women less likely to rest and take time off when they’re sick, while men might be conditioned to assume the role of the patient rather than care for themselves, Le Goy said.

Another factor behind the “man flu” may be that society often discourages men from expressing emotional discomfort.

“Many men are taught the only [complaints] that are legitimate are physical complaints,” saidJustin Puder, PhD, a psychologist based in Florida. “When they do get sick, it’s [often] this big catastrophe mixed up with emotional turmoil and stress that they are not expressing.”

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What This Means For You

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riedl D, Labek K, Gottfried T, et al.Man flu is not a thing—gender-specific secondary analysis of a prospective randomized-controlled trial for acute rhinosinusitis.J Psychosom Res. 2022;163:111047. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111047UpToDate.Uncomplicated and acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: treatment.Sue K.The science behind “man flu.”BMJ. 2017;359. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5560Giurgea LT, Cervantes-Medina A, Walters KA, et al.Sex differences in influenza: the challenge study experience.J Infect Dis. 2022;225(4):715-722.Chaplin TM.Gender and emotion expression: a developmental contextual perspective.Emot Rev.2015;7(1):14-21. doi:10.1177/1754073914544408.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riedl D, Labek K, Gottfried T, et al.Man flu is not a thing—gender-specific secondary analysis of a prospective randomized-controlled trial for acute rhinosinusitis.J Psychosom Res. 2022;163:111047. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111047UpToDate.Uncomplicated and acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: treatment.Sue K.The science behind “man flu.”BMJ. 2017;359. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5560Giurgea LT, Cervantes-Medina A, Walters KA, et al.Sex differences in influenza: the challenge study experience.J Infect Dis. 2022;225(4):715-722.Chaplin TM.Gender and emotion expression: a developmental contextual perspective.Emot Rev.2015;7(1):14-21. doi:10.1177/1754073914544408.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Riedl D, Labek K, Gottfried T, et al.Man flu is not a thing—gender-specific secondary analysis of a prospective randomized-controlled trial for acute rhinosinusitis.J Psychosom Res. 2022;163:111047. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111047UpToDate.Uncomplicated and acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: treatment.Sue K.The science behind “man flu.”BMJ. 2017;359. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5560Giurgea LT, Cervantes-Medina A, Walters KA, et al.Sex differences in influenza: the challenge study experience.J Infect Dis. 2022;225(4):715-722.Chaplin TM.Gender and emotion expression: a developmental contextual perspective.Emot Rev.2015;7(1):14-21. doi:10.1177/1754073914544408.

Riedl D, Labek K, Gottfried T, et al.Man flu is not a thing—gender-specific secondary analysis of a prospective randomized-controlled trial for acute rhinosinusitis.J Psychosom Res. 2022;163:111047. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111047

UpToDate.Uncomplicated and acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: treatment.

Sue K.The science behind “man flu.”BMJ. 2017;359. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5560

Giurgea LT, Cervantes-Medina A, Walters KA, et al.Sex differences in influenza: the challenge study experience.J Infect Dis. 2022;225(4):715-722.

Chaplin TM.Gender and emotion expression: a developmental contextual perspective.Emot Rev.2015;7(1):14-21. doi:10.1177/1754073914544408.

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