Colds Is there really male flu?

Is the male flu fact or fiction? Researchers mean "fact"

It is often claimed that men are more self-indulgent than women and show this even with minor infections. But researchers have found evidence that men are actually more affected by cold and flu diseases. This seems to have something to do with the immune response being weaker in women than in women.

Men are just more pious?

Statistically, every person suffers from a common cold once or twice a year on average. Men, however, seem to be more affected by the infections. Some say that the "strong sex" is just more self-pity, but others point out that the infections in men are more intense and speak of the so-called "male flu". Are these really available? This question has now been dealt with by a Canadian scientist.

Many men often suffer tremendously when they catch an infection. Are they just more forgiving than women or is there something like a "male flu"? This question has once again occupied a researcher. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

Term "men's flu" is used pejoratively

Especially in the cold season, the term "male flu" is often referred to sarcastically, that the so-called "strong sex" is soft and even with small infections always moan much.

Dr. Kyle Sue of the Memorial University of Newfoundland in St John's, Canada, has been wondering if male flu may not exist as a disease.

The result of his investigation has now been published in the Christmas issue of the journal British Medical Journal (BMJ).

"Surprisingly, there are already many studies on this topic, from mouse studies to test tube studies and human studies," Dr. Sue in a message from the university.

But: "No scientific review has investigated whether the term" male flu "is adequately defined or just a deep-rooted pejorative term without a scientific basis," says the study author.

Higher risk for hospital admissions and higher mortality rates

In a meta-analysis of several studies, Sue found that men with flu actually have a higher risk of hospitalization and a higher mortality rate than women of the same age.

Also in many other acute respiratory diseases the male sex was more susceptible to complications and a fatal course.

The Canadian scientist also provides a possible explanation for this: According to various studies, the immune response of men is less pronounced.

"Current evidence suggests that men have a weaker immune system than women, which leads to worse and longer-lasting symptoms when they are confronted with a cold or flu," Dr. Sue.

Hormonal differences

The reason for this are hormonal differences between the sexes.

According to studies, higher estrogen levels (female sex hormones) are associated with stronger immune responses, while higher testosterone levels (sex hormones that occur in both sexes) cause the opposite.

This difference ends in menopause when estrogen levels fall in women.

However, according to the Canadian researchers, this stronger immune system is not always beneficial to women.

For autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks the body's own cells, women are more susceptible.

Evolutionary origins

Dr. According to Sue, some research suggests that the immune differences between men and women are evolutionary.

Investing less in the immune system allows men to put more energy into other important biological processes - such as growth or reproduction.

The study author also pointed out that his results so far could not yet be considered final.

Further research is needed to investigate other differences between men and women, such as smoking and drinking rates, or the willingness to see a doctor in a timely manner.

"Perhaps now is the time for men-friendly spaces to be equipped with huge televisions and lounge chairs where men can recover from the debilitating effects of the flu in safety and comfort," Dr. Sue. (Ad)