Is the “Man Cold” real?

Science Says Yes.

Recently I sat across from a friend, she rolled her eyes and said, “Jared has a ‘man cold. So, he won’t be functioning for the next 5 days.”

I sat there debating whether I should tell her it’s not in his head, the “man cold” is real.

For years, the “man cold” has been the punchline of countless jokes—men supposedly exaggerating mild symptoms while women power through. But emerging science suggests there may be truth to the idea: men can, in fact, experience colds and flu more severely.

This isn’t about theatrics—it’s about biology.

Men and Illness: The Difference

Studies show that men often mount weaker immune responses to viral infections compared to women. Testosterone may suppress parts of the immune system, while estrogen enhances antiviral defenses and antibody production. This means when a virus hits, men may experience stronger symptoms and slower recovery.

One BMJ review found men exhibited more severe flu symptoms, responded less robustly to vaccines, and took longer to recover. In other words, men weren’t just “acting” sicker—they truly were sicker.

Pain: Different Wiring, Different Endurance

While women’s immune systems tend to be stronger, pain perception and endurance vary in fascinating, sex-specific ways:

• Men feel illness-related pain more intensely
  Research indicates that male immune responses can trigger stronger inflammatory cascades during infection, which heightens pain sensitivity. This could explain why men experience more discomfort with a simple cold.

• Women report more pain overall—but with higher endurance
  Large studies (including those at Stanford) confirm women rate pain higher across many conditions—yet women also demonstrate more consistent pain tolerance. Hormones like estrogen can activate natural opioid pathways, giving women additional mechanisms to endure prolonged pain (like labor).

• Different biological circuits
  Groundbreaking work at University of Arizona showed that nociceptors (pain-signaling neurons) operate differently in men and women. Males rely more on microglial immune cells, while females recruit T cells and hormones like prolactin. This means the same injury or illness can activate entirely different biological “wiring.”

• Acute vs. sustained stressors
  Men may tolerate extreme, short-lived traumas (the “walk it off” gunshot metaphor), but women’s systems are better adapted to prolonged, sustained pain—like childbirth, migraines, or autoimmune-related flares and yes, the common cold.

So Yes, the “Man Cold” Is Real

When men get sick, their biology sets them up for a rougher ride. Less robust immunity + higher illness-related inflammation = more intense symptoms. Women, with their stronger immune systems and hormonal pain-buffering, can often push through a cold with greater resilience.

It’s not about weakness. It’s about differences in design.

What To Do if You Have a “Man Cold”

Whether you’re male or female, supporting your body through illness matters:

• 30–45 Minute Sauna Sessions
  Heat and steam can ease congestion, promote circulation, and support immune resilience. Hydrate before and after to avoid dehydration.

• IV Hydration Therapy
  Intravenous fluids with electrolytes and nutrients can reduce fatigue and help replenish reserves when appetite and intake are low. We recommend the Cold Buster or Sweetest Healing.

• Rest and Recovery
  Don’t fight biology. Adequate rest, hydration, and nutrient dense food give your immune system the best chance to resolve infection quickly.

More than a stereotype, biology

The man cold isn’t just a stereotype. It’s a reflection of fundamental sex-based differences in immune response and pain processing. Men truly may experience colds and flu more severely, while women’s biology equips them to endure longer, sustained forms of pain.

When illness strikes, the smart move isn’t to compare—but to care. Support your body with rest, hydration, sauna therapy, and IV support, and respect that biology isn’t one-size-fits-all.

References

• Klein SL, Flanagan KL. Sex differences in immune responses. Nat Rev Immunol. 2016.

• Sue, K. The BMJ: “The Science Behind ‘Man Flu’.” 2017.

• Mogil JS. Sex differences in pain and pain inhibition: multiple explanations of a controversial phenomenon. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2012.

• Bartley EJ, Fillingim RB. Sex differences in pain: a brief review. J Pain. 2013.

• Stanford Medicine. “Women report more intense pain than men across diseases.” 2012.

• Sorge RE, et al. Different immune cells mediate mechanical pain hypersensitivity in male and female mice. Nat Neurosci. 2015.

• Arout CA, et al. Sex differences in opioid analgesia and addiction: a translational perspective. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2016.