Lupus symptoms in women are wide ranging and can affect multiple organ systems and nearly every part of the body. The three most common lupus disease symptoms in women are:

  • Fatigue
  • Aching and swollen joints (arthritis)
  • Skin rashes across various portions of the body, including the nose and cheeks (often referred to as a lupus butterfly rash)

The skin, joints, blood, kidneys, and brain can all be affected by lupus disease. However, symptoms of lupus in women often come and go in cycles known as lupus remissions and lupus flares.

During lupus remissions, symptoms tend to lay dormant and lupus patients are able to live a normal, healthy life for the most part. However, during periods of lupus flares, patients often feel ill and may experience some or all of the additional lupus symptoms listed below.

  • Discoid rashes that are raised, red, and often have a “disc-like” appearance
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and/or fever
  • Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
  • Low white blood cell counts (leucopenia)
  • Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
  • Low levels of specific white blood cells (lymphopenia)
  • Unusual and/or abnormal blood clotting
  • Chest pain during breathing due to the inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis)
  • Increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
  • Sores in the mouth (mouth/oral ulcers)
  • Inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis)
  • Sores in the nose
  • Seizures and/or psychosis
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon which refers to fingers turning white or blue when cold
  • Loss of hair
  • Edema (swelling) around the hands, eyes, feet, and legs
  • Abnormal antinuclear antibodies (ANA) which can indicate an autoimmune response (when your immune system attacks its own cells)
  • Psychological disorders and depression

Due to the wide ranging symptoms of lupus disease in women, getting a proper lupus diagnosis can be extremely difficult and may take several years to accurately assess.

Lupus is often referred to as the “great imitator” because many lupus symptoms are similar to those of other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease, thyroid problems, and many others. This combined with the fact that lupus symptoms can appear and disappear at anytime means lupus disease is commonly misdiagnosed as something else.

Lupus Symptoms In Women And Men – Do They Differ?

Lupus disease primarily affects women and approximately 9 out of 10 lupus patients are female. However, men of all ages CAN and DO get lupus.

diagnosing lupus symptomsIn the case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), one male will develop lupus for every 10 females between the ages of 15 and 50. Prior to age 15, approximately 1 male develops lupus for every 3 females and after the age of 50, the ratio is 1 male for every 8 females.

As a general rule, lupus symptoms in women do not differ greatly from those in men. Various types of skin rashes, fatigue, and painful joints are common in both men and women with lupus disease, and the same types of lupus treatment are recommended for both sexes.

For the most part, lupus severity tends to be equivalent in both men and women. However, some studies suggest men are more likely to experience more severe forms of kidney, blood, and nerve diseases.

Differences in the way men and women experience different types of lupus have also been noted. For example, drug induced lupus tends to be more common in men than women because the drugs that cause lupus-like symptoms are more commonly prescribed in men. These include things like:

  • Isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis)
  • Procainamide (for treating heart abnormalities)
  • Hydralazine (for treating high blood pressure)

Psychological symptoms of lupus in women can also differ slightly from those in men. Both sexes often experience emotional stress and depression from coping with lupus, but some experts believe psychological symptoms may be more severe in men due to societal and cultural expectations.

For example, men with lupus may not be able to perform at work or take care of their families effectively. A loss of independence coupled with the fact that lupus is often mistakenly discussed as a “woman’s disease” can cause men to feel extreme mental stress and can lead to things like erectile dysfunction (ED) which is often a psychological rather than a physical problem.

Lupus symptoms in women are as complex as the disease itself, but great strides are being made daily toward fully understanding and treating lupus effectively. Dr. Gary Levin’s Natural Lupus Treatment Guide has given those living with lupus disease new found hope for beating lupus disease symptoms and living a long, healthy life without the horrible side effects of modern day drugs.

Related posts:

  1. Lupus Nephritis – A Potentially Life Threatening Lupus Disease Symptom In Women And Men
  2. What Is Lupus Disease? Understanding Lupus Symptoms In Women And Men

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