Debunking 'man flu' in 3 arguments

A man goes down feeling unwell, saying that he’s really suffering, and the claim goes out – ‘he’s got man flu!’ While this comment is light-hearted and flu in men is commonly seen as no worse than it is in women, it’s a debate that continues. So, how do we know whether man flu exists? You might even be asking what is man flu? Here, we’ll investigate the research, highlight some of the main man flu symptoms, and address the question ‘is man flu real?’

What is man flu?

In simple terms, ‘man flu’ is the same as ‘anyone's flu’! Except, it is thought to be experienced by a man exclusively.1 Flu symptoms in males appear in much the same way as they do with everyone else. However, it’s often said that man flu symptoms are much worse than ‘normal flu’ – and that’s one of the main arguments for a different label. Here are some of the most common symptoms²: 

• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills and sweats.

Talk of ‘man flu’ is generally light-hearted – the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as: ‘A cold or similar minor illness that a man catches and treats as if it were flu or something more serious.'³

Is man flu a myth? Arguments surrounding man flu

The science behind man flu seems to back up the idea that flu in men can be experienced differently from women due to certain biological differences.⁴ So, what causes man flu? Here are three main arguments surrounding man flu symptoms:

1. Men suffer more with the flu

While it can’t be definitively argued that flu symptoms in males are worse overall, there is evidence to suggest that when flu is serious, it’s worse for men. An academic study in Canada, which was published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), looked into hospitalisation and deaths caused by flu in men versus flu in women and found that the rate was higher in adult men.¹

2. Men are more susceptible to the flu

Do men get the flu worse than women? Test-tube studies looking into cells infected with flu found that oestrogen (the female hormone) provides better protection for women. The takeaway from that? Women may experience milder flu symptoms⁴, which in turn could support the argument that men are more susceptible to getting the flu. This could also explain why some men complain that their symptoms are worse too.⁴

3. Men take longer to get over the flu

Are you in the camp that believes that men take longer to get over the flu, and that’s evidence that man flu really does exist? Well, you may be happy to hear that a UK men’s weekly magazine found that men reported taking almost twice as long to get over the illness than women.^4,5

FAQs: Flu in men

Why do men get man flu and not women?
The science behind man flu seems to suggest that men may simply have a biological predisposition to experiencing more severe flu symptoms. However, cultural and behavioural factors like expectations of masculinity, smoking, drinking, and seeking help less often could also play a role.⁶

How can you tell the difference between man flu and the traditional flu?
Unlike the traditional flu, man flu is not a medical term and is often used to humorously describe typical flu symptoms experienced by a man, which are maybe more severe or exaggerated than the normal flu.³

If you’re experiencing common flu symptoms like a sudden high temperature and lethargy, you’re probably just experiencing the flu.² Regardless of your gender, if you feel that your symptoms have worsened, it is always best to consult your doctor or GP, so that they can advise on the best course of action to relieve your symptoms.

Though the question of whether man flu exists has not been conclusively answered, initial research indicates that there may well be evidence to support the claims. We can wait for further studies for confirmation, but anyone who’s unwell, man flu or not, appreciates a little sympathy!