LUPUS and women…

This middle pic is OSTEOPOROSIS, which shows the bone density…or lask of!
The first pic is Osteoporosis. The last pic…please notice the hands, which were once beautiful.

Lupus in Women

With the overwhelming prevalence of Lupus in women (over 90 percent of Lupus patients are women), Lupus is often known as a “woman’s disease.” Unfortunately women’s diseases are often understudied and under funded. Still, there are some things common among women with Lupus.

Many studies done on Lupus focus on hormones. Female hormones have a great compatibility with Lupus, as estrogen can promote autoimmunity with increased inflammation.

Most cases of SLE develop in childbearing years when the production of estrogen increases, yet with SLE patients the hormone is metabolized differently.

This difference can result in vaginal dryness or even vaginal ulcers associated with Sjogren’s syndrome. Also, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) can occur in 15 to 25 percent of female SLE patients between the ages of 15 to 45. Even irregular periods are not uncommon along with greater malaise and cramping during menstruation.

The studies linking estrogen and Lupus pose questions for sexually active women who want to use the birth control pill. While most SLE patients use low estrogen birth control with little difficulty, they should be taken under a physician’s close watch.

Women seeking birth control should be in remission or have their Lupus under control. They should also have minimal therapy requirements and have a doctor assess SLE activity.

Finally, as birth control pills can often increase the incidence of blood clots, the SLE patient should have no risk factors for potentially dangerous clots.

Fertility in patients with Lupus is no different unless the SLE is active and the person is unwell.

Fertility can also be affected by medications like cyclophosphamide, which can render both males and females sterile. If women are on fertility drugs to get pregnant, the increased estrogen can induce a flare, so they should also be taken under a doctor’s close watch.

Menopause is usually a good time for women with Lupus, as symptoms and flares usually subside. However, women using hormone replacement therapy can sometimes have flares due to the increased estrogen, but they are more rare than flares induced by birth control pills.

One major concern for menopausal SLE patients is osteoporosis. Between 30 to 50 percent of all SLE patients on long-term corticosteroids will experience a fracture if there is no subsequent treatment for osteoporosis.

Bone mass density in SLE patients is greater than normal in female patients.

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Lupus is not just a womans disease! It is a disease that knows no age, race, gender or economic statue…support LUPUS funding with your monies or even your time, if that is what you have the most of!

As you can see…my theory that Lupus is drug induced is confirmed in this thesis. As what can help you, in the end, will harm you.

Be careful what you invite into your bodies. The repercussions are vast and huge. Take that from one who as experienced the results!

I was not able to take contraceptive birth control…so an IUD was placed in my body.

The IUD gave me cancer of the uterus. I have had cancer three times since then.

Medicine is a science, NOT a cure all! Make educated decisions.

I am always here for assistance and with my two cents worth. Not everyone understands this crippling disease, but those who experience it, do understand it!

What has helped me the most with Lupus, is Mona Vie…it is natural and gives me the nutrition that I need. The ASCI Berry is the number one super food in the WORLD!

http://www.MyMonaVie.com/SharonSutley

A voice of experience
~The Baby Boomer Queen~

This post is possible thanks to http://www.lupus-book.com