Why Autoimmune Diseases are More Prevalent in Women
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues mistakenly. There are over 100 autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and Sjogren’s syndrome. While women are typically healthier and have a longer life expectancy than men, about 80% of people with autoimmune diseases are women.
The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but here are some potential reasons why women have the highest number of autoimmune disease diagnoses.
Hormonal changes
Hormones may play a significant role in developing autoimmune diseases in women. Hormones are chemical messengers in the body responsible for sending messages through the blood to help direct different functions of the body.
It’s normal for women to have hormonal fluctuations or imbalances during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. However, it’s been discovered that hormonal imbalances can lead to the onset of autoimmune diseases.
Sex hormones, like estrogen, help regulate the immune system by producing some immune cells. Unfortunately, this may increase the likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases that involve the production of autoantibodies, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Also, estrogen has anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect against some autoimmune diseases. However, when estrogen levels fluctuate, such as during menstruation or menopause, this protection may be lost, increasing the risk of autoimmune disease.
However, it’s also crucial to mention that autoimmune diseases can cause hormonal imbalances too.
Genetics
Another potential factor for the occurrence of autoimmune diseases among women is genetic predisposition. Genetic predisposition increases the chances of developing a disease due to a person’s genetics or family’s medical history. Several autoimmune diseases have genetic predispositions that can disrupt the immune system’s ability to separate healthy cells from harmful invaders in the body.
Studies have shown that autoimmune diseases tend to cluster in families, known as familial autoimmune diseases, suggesting that genetic factors play a role in their development.
Several genes have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases. For example, the HLA gene complex, which helps the immune system decipher between its proteins and those from foreign invaders, has been linked to several autoimmune diseases.
Some studies have also discovered specific genes more commonly associated with autoimmune diseases in women than in men. This suggests there may be gender-specific genetic factors at play.
Environmental factors
Some environmental factors may increase a woman’s chances of developing an autoimmune disease. For example, infections are environmental triggers that can cause autoimmune diseases among certain people. A few examples of infections associated with autoimmune diseases are COVID-19, influenza, and measles.
Women are more vulnerable to developing certain infections and enduring more severe symptoms than men, such as urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections. These infections can increase their risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
Stress
Stress is another environmental factor linked to autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely to report stress symptoms than men. Excessive stress can lead to the development of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol can reduce the immune system’s response to fighting off invaders by lowering the number of lymphocytes in the blood.
The cause of heightened stress among women is unknown. However, it’s suggested that women may be exposed to more stressors related to their gender, such as sexism, discrimination, or societal pressures to balance work and family responsibilities.
Environmental toxins
Some autoimmune diseases have been linked to exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as chemicals or heavy metals. Women may be more susceptible to these toxins than men due to different metabolism or greater exposure in certain occupations or industries.
Autoimmune diseases affect about 10 million people in the United States. More women have been diagnosed with at least one autoimmune disease than men. While the exact reason why autoimmune diseases are not fully known, their prevalence among women may be due to factors like hormonal imbalances, genetics, and the environment.
Found this blog helpful? Here are some other blogs to check out: 10 Ways to Pace Yourself with a Chronic Illness and What Questions are Okay to Ask Someone with an Invisible Illness?
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