Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system mistakenly identifies parts of the body as invaders and attacks them. What’s striking is that an estimated 80% of people diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women.
This raises important questions, such as, “What makes women more vulnerable, and what can be done to reduce the risk or manage the impact?”
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system, which normally defends against infections, mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Depending on the type, autoimmune diseases can affect various parts of the body, including joints, skin, glands, and internal organs.
Why Women Are More Affected by Autoimmune Disease
-
Biological & Genetic Factors - X Chromosome Effects
One of the big reasons women are more prone to autoimmune diseases actually comes down to our chromosomes. Women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y. Think of the X chromosome as a “storage space” that carries many of the instructions for how our immune system works.
Normally, one of the X chromosomes in women is supposed to “switch off” so things stay balanced. But sometimes, this switch-off process doesn’t work perfectly. When that happens, certain immune-related genes can become overactive, which may increase the likelihood that the immune system will mistakenly turn on the body.
Recent studies have also found that a molecule called Xist (pronounced “exist”) plays a big role in this process. If Xist doesn’t work properly, it can confuse the immune system and may even cause symptoms similar to lupus.
-
Hormonal Factors
Hormones play a big role in how the immune system behaves. Estrogen, for example, can act like a “booster” for the immune system. This is great when the body needs to fight off infections, but it also means the immune system can become too active, sometimes attacking healthy tissues.
On the other hand, hormones like progesterone and testosterone (the male hormone) tend to calm the immune system down. Since women generally have less of these, the balance tilts toward stronger immune reactions and, unfortunately, a higher chance of autoimmune issues.
Many women notice this connection during major life stages like puberty, pregnancy, the months after giving birth, and even menopause. These changes can sometimes trigger the first signs of an autoimmune condition or cause flare-ups in women who already have one.
-
Immune System Differences
Women’s immune systems are often described as “stronger” than men’s. This is why women tend to recover faster from certain infections or respond better to vaccines. The woman’s body produces more antibodies and activates its defenses more efficiently.
However, the catch is that sometimes the same strength can backfire. A super-alert immune system is more likely to get confused and start attacking the body’s own healthy cells, which is exactly what happens in autoimmune diseases.
-
Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers
Even if a woman has a genetic or hormonal tendency toward autoimmune diseases, outside factors often act as the “push” that sets things in motion. For example, certain infections, whether viral or bacterial, can confuse the immune system because some germs look very similar to the body’s own cells. This confusion may lead the immune system to attack healthy tissues.
Finally, chronic stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diets, having an imbalanced gut microbiome, and obesity can all create long-term inflammation, which may worsen or trigger autoimmune reactions.
Common Autoimmune Diseases in Women
Some autoimmune diseases commonly seen in women include:
Prevention & Management Tips for Autoimmune Diseases
Here are things you can do to reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases or manage symptoms:
-
Get regular medical checkups, especially if you have a family history of autoimmune disease.
-
Maintain a diet rich in antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, and reduce consumption of processed foods, excessive sugar, and saturated fats.
-
Get adequate vitamin D (via safe sun exposure, diet, or supplements as advised by a doctor).
-
Keep stress levels in check through mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or other stress-relief practices.
-
Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep daily.
-
Exercise moderately but regularly to improve immune health and reduce inflammation.
-
Conclusion
Women are more prone to autoimmune diseases due to a complex mix of genetics (such as the X chromosome), hormonal changes, immune system differences, and environmental or lifestyle triggers.
While not all risks can be controlled, healthy lifestyle choices and early detection play a big role in reducing risk and managing these conditions effectively.
Have you or someone close experienced an autoimmune condition?
Researched by Mercy Adeniyi.
Login