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The Not-So-Surprising Reason Why Women Are More Prone To Autoimmune Diseases

Statistics reveal that over 85% of individuals with multiple autoimmune diseases are women. While biological factors play a significant role, psychological and cultural elements also contribute significantly to this gender disparity.

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Ishika Thanvi
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Image: John Hopkins

Autoimmune diseases, conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body, disproportionately affect women. Statistics reveal that over 85% of individuals with multiple autoimmune diseases are female, a staggering number highlighting the need to examine the root causes. While biological factors like hormonal fluctuations play a significant role, psychological and cultural elements also contribute significantly to this gender disparity.

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The Psychological Burden: Women and Societal Expectations

Women often prioritize the emotional needs of others over their own, driven by a culture that enables and creates it. This tendency stems from societal conditioning that ties their identity to roles, responsibilities, and caregiving, often at the expense of self-care.

Many women suppress anger and other emotions to maintain harmony, which may build psychological stress over time. A deep-seated belief that they are responsible for others’ happiness creates an additional emotional burden. These emotional patterns lead to chronic stress, a significant factor that weakens the immune system, making it more susceptible to dysfunction.

This cultural phenomenon of self-sacrifice is not inherently tied to gender but stems from societal constructs that place disproportionate expectations on women.

Biological Factors: Hormones and Autoimmune Diseases

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Beyond psychological stressors, women’s susceptibility to autoimmune diseases is closely linked to their unique biological transitions. Significant hormonal shifts during life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause influence immune system behaviour.

The immune system interacts intricately with hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which can either amplify or suppress immune responses. Hormonal fluctuations influence the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, altering the body’s defense mechanisms. These transitions place women at higher risk of developing autoimmune conditions due to the immune system’s dynamic response to these changes.

The Need for a Balanced Approach

The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women is a multifaceted issue rooted in both cultural and biological factors. While hormonal changes are inevitable, addressing psychological stress through self-awareness and boundary-setting can significantly alleviate the burden on the immune system. Encouraging women to prioritize their health and well-being is critical in mitigating the risk of autoimmune conditions.

Women's health Gender disparity psychology gender disparity in health autoimmune disease Autoimmune Disorder
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