Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Colds Affect Men and Women Differently
Colds affect men and women differently because of their biology and hormones.
Women often have more severe and longer-lasting symptoms because their immune systems react more strongly to viruses.
This is due to the hormone oestrogen, which helps fight viruses but also causes more inflammation.
Men, on the other hand, have milder initial symptoms because of the hormone testosterone, which reduces inflammation.
However, men might get higher fevers.
Women are also better at reporting their symptoms, while men tend to wait until their symptoms get worse.
Understanding these differences can help both men and women take better care of themselves during a cold.
Women experience more severe and prolonged cold symptoms due to oestrogen-fueled immune overdrive.
Men have milder initial symptoms but may experience higher fevers due to testosterone's effect on temperature regulation.
Women's stronger immune responses lead to more inflammation and symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches.
Men tend to underreport symptoms until they become severe, while women monitor and report their symptoms more precisely.
Personalized wellness approaches, such as anti-inflammatory support for women and immune-boosting supplements for men, can help manage cold symptoms better.
- Who
- Men and women
- What
- The impact of common colds on men and women
- When
- During cold wave conditions in north and central India
- Where
- North and central India
- Why
- Due to biological, hormonal, and behavioural differences
- Hormonal Influence
- Oestrogen boosts interferon production, causing more inflammation in women. Testosterone suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines in men.
- Biological Differences
- Women's immune systems have stronger responses to viruses, leading to more severe symptoms. Men experience milder initial symptoms but may have higher fevers.
- Symptom Severity and Duration
- Women report more severe and prolonged symptoms, while men's symptoms peak quickly and resolve sooner.
- Behavioural and Reporting Biases
- Women monitor their health closely and report symptoms more precisely. Men tend to underreport symptoms until they become severe.
- Prevention and Treatment
- Women benefit from anti-inflammatory support, while men may need immune-boosting supplements.