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Why men often tolerate fever and colds worse than women, explained to the Public News Service endocrinologist Maria Kaloshina.
According to the specialist, the key role in this difference is played by the hormonal background. Women have high levels of estrogen and progesterone with low levels of testosterone. Such a ratio of hormones ensures an easier course of the disease, less pronounced symptoms and faster recovery.
Estrogen, a female hormone, promotes the body's rapid response to infection. It accelerates the multiplication of immunocompetent cells, which permits the body to fight viruses and bacteria more effectively. In contrast, testosterone, a male hormone, suppresses the immune response and reduces defense against pathogens.
Kaloshina noted that such a difference in the reactions of male and female bodies to illness is the result of evolutionary development. This explains why men with a slight rise in temperature can feel very ill, while women in a similar condition are often able to continue performing everyday duties.
Who would have thought that anecdotes about “man flu” had such a solid scientific basis?