Why is systemic lupus erythematosus more common in women than in men?

While the exact reasons are not fully understood, the higher prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in women compared to men is believed to be linked to hormonal influences on immune responses. Specifically, hormones such as estrogen are thought to increase the likelihood of developing the disease.12

The condition, which primarily affects women between the ages of 12 and 40, involves a breakdown of the immune system where the body produces autoantibodies that attack its own tissues. Researchers suggest that the interaction of multiple genes, combined with these hormonal factors, contributes to the gender disparity observed in many autoimmune disorders.12