Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive and attacks healthy cells. More than 80 diseases fall into this category. You probably recognize many of them, including rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Women are three times as likely to get an autoimmune disease than men, according to the National Institutes of Health. Of the 23 million people in America who live with an autoimmune disorder, about 17 million are women.
We spoke with Stacy Tanner, M.D., a rheumatologist with Riverside Medical Group, to get a better understanding of why this is. Dr. Tanner shared that experts aren’t completely sure why women are at higher risk for autoimmune diseases. But researchers believe that the body’s immune response, hormones and genetic differences all play a role. She also noted that for women who are impacted, symptoms usually appear during childbearing age.
A few autoimmune diseases that affect more women than men include:
- Sjogren’s Syndrome: an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s moisture-making cells. Common symptoms include extremely dry eyes or mouths. It often occurs along with other autoimmune conditions. It is nine times more common in women than men.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (known as SLE): an autoimmune disease that impacts different parts of the body. It is often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 44. Of every 10 patients diagnosed with SLE, nine are women.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease that affects joint tissue. Out of every seven people who develop this condition, five are women.
An overactive immune system and sex hormones play a role
Dr. Tanner noted that women’s immune systems seem to respond differently to triggers than men’s systems. These responses can make women more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. If a woman and a man are exposed to the same infectious disease, the woman’s immune system is more likely to respond. If that response is too strong, it can lead to inflammation and cause damage to healthy tissues and organs. This can increase the woman’s risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
Another reason women are at higher risk is hormonal differences. Many autoimmune diseases tend to get better or worse in response to female hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy.
Don’t forget about genetics and lifestyle factors
Genetics affect your risk, regardless of whether you’re a man or woman. Dr. Tanner explained that autoimmune diseases tend to develop in families, but not all affected family members will necessarily have the same disease. A mom may have rheumatoid arthritis while her daughter has Hashimoto’s disease, and her sister has lupus. The genetics of autoimmune diseases are complex, and more research is needed to help scientists understand the connections.
Stress and overall health can also affect your risk of getting an autoimmune disease. To protect yourself, it is important to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit, veggies and whole grains. Regular exercise to reduce your stress and getting enough sleep are also important.
Talk to your health care provider
If you are concerned that you may be at risk for or are experiencing symptoms of an autoimmune disorder, talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor may refer you to Riverside Rheumatology Associates in Hampton or Williamsburg.
