Autoimmune disease in women

Part of a series on
Women's health
Symbol of women's health
Reproductive and sexual health Reproductive health Reproductive tract External female genitalia Clitoris Clitoral hood Labia minora Labia majora Vagina Cervix Uterus Fallopian tube Ovary Reproductive system disease Maternal health Pregnancy Unintended pregnancy Gravidity and parity Obstetrics Obstetrics and gynaecology Antenatal care Adolescent pregnancy Complications of pregnancy Hyperemesis gravidarum Ectopic pregnancy Miscarriage Obstetrical bleeding Gestational diabetes Hypertension Preeclampsia Eclampsia Childbirth Midwifery Preterm birth Multiple births Oxytocin Obstructed labor Cesarian section Retained placenta Obstetrical fistulae Vesicovaginal fistula Rectovaginal fistula Postpartum care Maternal deaths Perinatal mortality Stillbirths Abortion Mother-to-child transmission Sterilization Compulsory sterilization Reproductive life plan Infertility Childlessness Assisted reproductive technology In vitro fertilization Parenting Adoption Fostering Contraception & Family planning Safe sex Intrauterine devices Oral contraceptives Hormonal contraception Tubal ligation Male contraceptive Condoms Contraceptive prevalence Contraceptive security Planned parenthood Menstruation Menarche Menstrual cycle Menstrual aids Tampons Sanitary pads Dysmenorrhea Menorrhagia Amenorrhoea Menopause Hormone replacement therapy Sexual health Sexually transmitted infections HIV Human papilloma virus HPV vaccine Pelvic inflammatory disease Female genital cutting Clitoridectomy Infibulation Child marriage Forced marriage Polygamy Sexual intercourse Orgasm Dyspareunia Other Sex differences Sex education Puberty Breast health Gynaecological disorders Vaginitis
Non-reproductive health Violence against women Domestic violence Intimate partner violence Misogyny Sexual harassment Sexual assault Rape Femicide Gender discrimination Non-communicable diseases Gynecologic cancer Lung cancer Breast cancer Uterine cancer Endometrial cancer Cervical cancer Papanicolaou test Ovarian cancer Cardiovascular disease Dementia Alzheimer's disease Bone health Osteoporosis Hip fracture Autoimmune disease Anaemia Other Mental health Anxiety Depression Major depressive disorder Urinary tract Urethra Urinary tract infection Urinary incontinence
Sociocultural factors Poverty Disadvantaged Gender equality Healthcare inequality Gender disparities in health Social determinants of health Reproductive justice Women's empowerment
Politics, research & advocacy United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women International Day of the Girl Child Commission on the Status of Women UN Women United States Office of Research on Women's Health Women's Health Initiative International Center for Research on Women Nurses' Health Study Black Women's Health Study Cartwright Inquiry Society for Women's Health Research
Women's health by country Women's health in China Women's health in Ethiopia Women's health in India (Family planning) Birth control in the United States Reproductive health in the United States
v t e

Autoimmunity refers to a pathological immune response of the body's immune system against itself. Autoimmune disease is widely recognized to be significantly more common in women than in men, and often presents differently between the sexes.^[1][2][3] The reasons for these disparities are still under investigation, but may in part involve the presence of an additional X chromosome in women^[3] (given that several genes on the X chromosome are associated with immune system development), as well as the higher presence of female sex hormones such as estrogen (which increases immune system response).^[3] The risk, incidence, and character of autoimmune disease in women may also be associated with female-specific physiological changes, such as hormonal shifts during menses, pregnancy, and menopause.^[4]

Common autoimmune symptoms experienced by both sexes include rashes, fevers, fatigue, and joint pain. Symptoms which are specific to women include irregular menses, pelvic pain, or vaginal dryness, depending on the given disease. Some diseases such as Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis^[5][6] may improve during pregnancy, whereas others such as lupus may worsen.^[5][6][7]

Currently it is not possible to cure autoimmune disease, but many treatments are available. Treatment of autoimmune disease can be broadly classified into anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and palliative – i.e., correcting a functional disturbance related to the condition.^[8] Some medications used to treat autoimmune diseases might not be safe to use during pregnancy.^[2][8]