Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. Though these diseases can affect anyone, studies have found that women are more prone to them than men.

According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), 80% of autoimmune disease patients are women. This article explores the reasons behind this gender difference and why women suffer from autoimmune diseases more.

1. Genetics

The tendency to develop autoimmune diseases can be inherited. Some genes, especially those in the X chromosome, which is usually present in females, can contribute to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases.

2. Hormones

Hormonal changes in women, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger autoimmune diseases. Women’s hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, can play a role in the immune system’s response to signals.

Studies have shown that estrogen can stimulate immune cells, potentially causing them to attack the body’s own tissues.

3. Microchimerism

During pregnancy, fetal cells can enter a woman’s bloodstream and remain in her body for years, if not a lifetime. This can cause a condition known as microchimerism.

In some cases, these fetal cells can trigger an autoimmune response, especially if the woman’s immune system is already compromised.

4. Environmental Factors

Some environmental triggers, such as infections, toxins, and stress, can activate the immune system and cause it to attack the body’s own tissues.

Women may be exposed to more environmental triggers than men, such as certain medications, cosmetics, and cleaning products, which can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affect hormones.

5. Sex Bias in Research

Autoimmune diseases have been traditionally studied on male subjects. Until the 1990s, women were excluded from clinical trials.

Thus, the medicines and treatments used to treat autoimmune diseases may have been designed with men in mind and may not work as effectively in women. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and under-treatment in women.

6. Differences in Immune System

Men and women have different immune systems. Women have a more robust immune response than men, which can protect them from infections but also put them at risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

Women also produce more antibodies, which can contribute to autoimmune responses.

7. Pregnancy

Pregnancy can affect a woman’s immune system in various ways. During pregnancy, the immune system is suppressed to prevent the fetus from being attacked by the mother’s immune cells.

However, after delivery, the immune system goes into overdrive to eliminate the placenta. This shift can trigger autoimmune diseases, such as postpartum thyroiditis or rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Age

Autoimmune diseases tend to occur more frequently in women during their childbearing years, suggesting that hormones may play a role in the onset of these conditions.

However, some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can also develop in older women, and the prevalence increases with age.

9. Mental Health

Women are more likely than men to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Evidence suggests that there is a bidirectional relationship between mental health and autoimmune diseases.

Mental health problems may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases and vice versa.

Women may face more social and economic stressors than men, such as caregiving responsibilities, workplace discrimination, and financial constraints. These stressors can exacerbate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases and affect treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

Autoimmune diseases are a complex group of conditions that can affect anyone, but women are more susceptible to them.

The reasons for this gender difference are multifactorial, including genetics, hormones, environmental factors, and sex bias in research. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune diseases in women is essential for developing better diagnostic tools and treatments that work for both men and women.