Women have admitted to being the weaker sex.

The controversial claim will undoubtedly trigger tense exchanges across the breakfast table.

However, the findings come from the mouths of women themselves in a survey of health and how people cope with illness.

Research by retail analysts Mintel found women were more likely to report having suffered various ailments

Research by retail analysts Mintel found that on virtually every question, women were more likely to report having suffered various ailments.

They were also more likely to take to their beds and turn to the medicine cabinet to help them recover.

Women might argue that the reason is they are under more pressure than men and, despite having jobs, will take on the heavy lifting involved in child care.

As a result, they are more likely to contract the bugs brought home by children.

The study found 81 per cent of women reported suffering a headache in the past year, versus 68 per cent of men.

There is no reason to believe this figure is anything other than a genuine measure – as opposed to the cliché of the faked headache.

The same study found 57 per cent of women have suffered back pain, compared to 50 per cent of men.

One in three women – 34 per cent – said they had experienced five or more different types of pain in the last 12 months versus one in four – 27 per cent - of men.

The Mintel research deals a blow to the much-reported man flu phenomenon - the idea that men are more likely to take to their beds at the first sign of a temperature or tickly cough

The Mintel research deals a blow to the much-reported man flu phenomenon - the idea that men are more likely to take to their beds at the first sign of a temperature or tickly cough.

Some 57 per cent of women who suffered a cold or flu said they coped by going to bed and resting, compared to a lower 44 per cent of men.

At the same time 31 per cent of women said they avoided going out when ill, compared to 24 per cent of men.

Consumer Lifestyles Analyst at Mintel, Jack Duckett, said: ‘Our research shows that women are notably more likely to experience most types of pain than men, as well as experience a greater range of pains.

‘Whilst men are becoming more active in the home, women continue to take the lion’s share of household responsibilities putting them at a greater risk of back ache, not to mention menstrual cycles and pregnancy.’

He said men are typically more likely to get on with work and daily chores when feeling under the weather. They are also less likely to turn to the medicine cabinet.

Mr Duckett said: ‘While ‘man flu’ is every woman’s nightmare, the same research reveals that it is the nation’s women, and not men, who are more likely to take to their beds when they are struck down with a cold or flu.

Some 57 per cent of women who suffered a cold or flu said they coped by going to bed and resting, compared to 44 per cent of men

‘When consumers who had experienced a cold, cough, flu or sore throat over the past year were asked about their typical behaviour when they suffered any one of these ailments, just 44 per cent of men said they got more sleep/rest compared to 57 per cent women.

‘Meanwhile, 31 per cent of women said they avoided going out, compared to 24 per cent of men.’

Women were more likely to turn to food and comfort eating to see them through an illness – 24 per cent versus 16 per cent.

Taking fluids is seen as a good way of speeding up recovery from a cold, but while 69 per cent of women have taken this message on board, the figure is a lower 54 per cent for men.

The study found that 78 per cent of women are happy to turn to various over the counter medicines when they are ill, compared to 66 per cent of men.

The survey was conducted as part of a wider analysis of the future of the market for cough and cold remedies.

Overall, the market for these medicines increased by 12 per cent between 2010 and 2015 when the market reached £1.2 billion.

Women were more likely to turn to food and comfort eating to see them through an illness

Mintel predicts it will grow by another 16 per cent over the next five years, reaching an estimated £1.4 billion in 2020.

Mr Duckett said: ‘Men are much less likely to look after themselves when suffering from cold and flu-related ailments, and they are considerably less likely to drink more fluids, get enough sleep and avoid going out.

‘This underlines the overall lower level of engagement between men and their health and paves the way for brands to do more to encourage men to take proper care of themselves when ill with cold or flu.’

Overall, the market for these medicines increased by 12 per cent between 2010 and 2015 when the market reached £1.2 billion.