Women's Day 2025: Why Women Are More Prone To Autoimmune Diseases – And What We Can Do About It

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues instead of harmful invaders. These conditions affect millions of people worldwide, but women are far more likely to develop them than men. Some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome, show female-to-male ratios as high as 9:1 and 19:1, respectively. But what makes women more vulnerable? We got in touch with Dr Diksha Goyal, Consultant-Internal Medicine at Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram who explains the key reasons behind this disparity.

The X-Chromosome Connection

One of the main reasons women are more prone to autoimmune diseases lies in their genetic makeup—specifically, the X chromosome. While men inherit one X and one Y chromosome, women have two X chromosomes. The X chromosome contains many genes related to immune function, making women's immune systems naturally more active.

Dr Goyal explains, “Women generally have a stronger immune response than men, which helps them fight infections better. However, this heightened activity can also increase their risk of autoimmune diseases.”

The body has a system called X-chromosome inactivation to prevent the overproduction of proteins from both X chromosomes. However, this system is not always perfect. Sometimes, immune-related genes escape this process and become overactive, leading to excessive immune responses. This can increase the likelihood of developing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma.

Hormones and Autoimmune Disease Risk

Another key factor is hormones—especially estrogen. This hormone plays a role in regulating immune function, and higher estrogen levels have been linked to increased immune activity. While this can be beneficial for fighting infections, it can also make women more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.

Dr Goyal explains, “Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can influence autoimmune diseases. For example, lupus often worsens during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels, while conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may improve during pregnancy but flare up after childbirth.”

The Impact of Environment and Lifestyle

Although genetics and hormones increase the risk, environmental and lifestyle factors also play a major role in triggering autoimmune diseases. Stress, diet, physical activity, exposure to toxins, infections, and sleep patterns all contribute to either worsening or managing these conditions.

According to Dr Goyal, common lifestyle triggers include:

Managing Autoimmune Disease Risk

While autoimmune diseases cannot always be prevented, making healthy lifestyle choices can help manage their severity and progression.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: Dr Goyal recommends a nutrient-rich diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. “Foods like fish and nuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and support immune balance,” she advises.

2. Stay Active: Engaging in regular physical activity such as walking, yoga, or swimming helps regulate immune responses and lowers inflammation.

3. Manage Stress: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help control stress levels, reducing the likelihood of immune overactivity.

4. Get Enough Sleep: Dr Goyal explains the importance of 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to allow the immune system to repair and function properly.

5. Avoid Harmful Habits: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase inflammation and weaken the immune system, so avoiding these habits is crucial.

6. Regular Health Checkups: For those with a family history of autoimmune diseases, routine medical checkups can help in early detection and preventive care.

Women’s higher risk of autoimmune diseases is due to a combination of biological, hormonal, and environmental factors. While these risks cannot be completely eliminated, making informed lifestyle choices can help reduce their impact and improve overall well-being.

Dr Goyal says “By maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, managing stress, and keeping up with regular medical checkups, women can better protect their immune health and lead healthier lives.”

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