Autoimmune Diseases

“Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another”.1

Umbrella

What may the Autoimmune Diseases Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Autoimmune Diseases/Disorders
  • Celiac Disease
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Hashimoto’s Disease
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Multiply Sclerosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Type 1 Diabetes

Definition

What are autoimmune diseases?

DotS the definition of autoimmune diseases (ADs) may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ (NIAMS) definition is:

“Your immune system is the network of cells and tissues in your body that work together to defend you from viruses, bacteria, and infection. It tries to identify and destroy the invaders that might hurt you.

In autoimmune diseases, proteins known as autoantibodies target the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, signaling the body to attack them”.2

In Autoimmune Diseases the (United States) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) definition is:

“In this family of disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy, working parts of the body, damaging them as a result”.3

Types

What are some types of autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: In-Depth – Types of Autoimmune Diseases the NIAMS explain:

“There are several types of autoimmune diseases. These include the following:

  • Alopecia Areata…
  • Pemphigus…
  • Psoriasis…
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis…
  • Scleroderma…
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome…
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus…
  • Vitiligo…”.4

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases – Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases? the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov (OWH) note:

“Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia (feye-broh-meye-AL-juh) (FM) are not autoimmune diseases. But they often have symptoms of some autoimmune disease, like being tired all the time and pain”.5

Cause

What causes autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases the Autoimmune Association note:

  • “The exact causes of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood but are believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors”.6

Common or Not

How common are autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: How Common Are Autoimmune Diseases? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Autoimmune diseases are common, especially because there are so many different types. Experts estimate that around 1 in 15 people in the U.S. has an autoimmune disease”.7

Women

Is there an association between women and autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: Summary – Who Is At Risk for Autoimmune Diseases? the (United States) MedlinePlus note:

“Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another”.8

In Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases the Autoimmune Association note:

  • “Women make up 80% of those affected by autoimmune diseases
  • Autoimmune diseases often run in families, meaning if one family member has one, others may be affected, though they may not have the same condition”.9


Health Care Provider

What if I think I have an autoimmune disease?

If you think you have an autoimmune disease it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Autoimmune Diseases – How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease?  the OWH elaborate on:

“Getting a diagnosis can be a long and stressful process. Although each autoimmune disease is unique, many share some of the same symptoms. And many symptoms of autoimmune diseases are the same for other types of health problems too. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have an autoimmune disease, and which one it might be. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, it’s important to find the cause. Don’t give up if you’re not getting any answers”.10

The OWH also note:

  • “Get a second, third, or fourth opinion if need be. If your doctor doesn’t take your symptoms seriously or tells you they are stress-related or in your head, see another doctor”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Autoimmune Diseases?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Autoimmune Diseases Links?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

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  5. A-Z- Disease List
  6. Aarda.org [American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association]
  7. Arthritis: Fibromyalgia
  8. Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  9. Autoimmune Awareness Month [March]
    Autoimmune Diseases
  10. Autoimmune Disease In Women
  11. Autoimmune Disease List
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  22. Autoimmune Pancreatitis
  23. Autoimmune vs Autoinflammatory Disease: A Comparative Look
  24. Autoimmune.org [Autoimmune Association, United States]
  25. Autoimmuneinstitute.org [Autoimmune Institute, United States]
  26. Can Vitamin D Supplements Prevent Autoimmune Disease?
  27. Celiac Disease
  28. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  29. Commonly Asked Questions About Autoimmune Diseases
  30. Coverage and Access Issues Affecting Women Living With Autoimmune Diseases
  31. Culinary Medicine: Autoimmunity and Healthful Eating
  32. Diabetes, Type 1 (T1D)
  33. Diagnosis Tips
  34. Improving Outcomes for Women with Autoimmune Diseases and ConditionsDisorders of the Immune System
  35. Doctors Who Diagnose & Treat Autoimmune Disease
  36. Does Psoriasis Spread on Your Body?
  37. Elevating the Impacts of Autoimmune Disease and Black Women’s Health
  38. Endometriosis
  39. Finding the Right Doctor
  40. Graves Disease
  41. Graves’ Disease (GD)
  42. Hashimoto Disease
  43. Hashimoto’s Disease
  44. Autoimmune DiseasesHow To Boost Your Immune System
  45. Immune System and Disorders
  46. Improving Outcomes for Women With Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions: A Call To Action
  47. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  48. Living Well With Lupus: A Toolkit for Women
  49. Lupus
  50. Lupus
  51. Lupusresearch.org [Lupus Research Alliance, United States]
  52. Mayo Clinic Minute: Psoriasis of the Scalp [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  53. Multiply Sclerosis
  54. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  55. Myasthenia Gravis
  56. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  58. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Women’s Health and Complementary Approaches
  59. Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR-ORWH) [United States]
  60. Office of Dietary Supplements [United States]: Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases
  61. Plant Paradox Diet: Does It Work for Weight Loss?
  62. Pre-Existing Conditions and Menopause
  63. Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs)
  64. Psoriasis
  65. Psoriasis
  66. Psoriasis
  67. Resource Center
  68. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  69. SWHR Adds Lupus To the Women’s Health Equity Initiative
  70. Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need To Know
  71. Society for Women’s Health Research [United States]
    Autoimmune Diseases
  72. Stress & Autoimmune Disease: Navigating the Complex Relationship
  73. Study Offers New Clues To Why Most People With Autoimmune Diseases Are Women
  74. Swhr.org [Society for Women’s Health Research, United States]
  75. Symptoms & Signs
  76. The Brain’s Journey During Pregnancy and Menopause: A Spotlight on Estradiol and the Immune System
  77. The Impact of Coverage Policies on Women With Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions
  78. The Impact of Menopause on Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases
  79. Thyroid Disease
  80. Thyroid Diseases
  81. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
  82. Utilization Management Policies and Autoimmune Diseases: A Women’s Health Issue
  83. Ultra-Processed Foods: Here’s How They May Affect the Way the Immune System Functions
  84. VCU Health of Women 2024 | Emerging Topics In Women’s Health: Autoimmune Disease Challenge
  85. Your Body’s Disease Defenses: Building and Boosting the Immune System
  86. What Is Autoimmunity?
  87. Why Autoimmune Disease Is More Common In Women: X Chromosome Holds Clues
  88. Why Do I Keep Getting Sick?
  89. Why Does Psoriasis Itch and How To Stop It
  90. Women & Autoimmunity

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Autoimmune Diseases: Summary. Last Updated: 26 January 2024. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autoimmunediseases.html Accessed: 01 March 2025
  2. Autoimmune Diseases: Overview of Autoimmune Diseases. Last Reviewed: March 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 01 March 2025
  3. Autoimmune Diseases. Content Last Reviewed: 02 March 2025. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 01 March 2025
  4. Autoimmune Diseases: In-Depth – Types of Autoimmune Diseases. Last Reviewed: March 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases/advanced#tab-types Accessed: 01 March 2025
  5. Autoimmune Diseases: Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 01 March 2025
  6. Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases. Autoimmune Association https://autoimmune.org/autoimmune-awareness-month/ Accessed: 01 March 2025
  7. Autoimmune Diseases: How Common Are Autoimmune Diseases? Last Reviewed 22 October 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 01 March 2025
  8. Autoimmune Diseases: Summary – Who Is At Risk for Autoimmune Diseases? Last Updated: 26 January 2024. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autoimmunediseases.html Accessed: 01 March 2025
  9. Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases. Autoimmune Association https://autoimmune.org/autoimmune-awareness-month/ Accessed: 01 March 2025
  10. Autoimmune Diseases: How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 01 March 2025
  11. Autoimmune Diseases: How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 01 March 2025
Topic Last Updated: 10 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 March 2025

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