Menstruation and Autoimmune Disease

Researchers are finding that women with rheumatic diseases tend to experience flares around their menses (specifically the luteal and menstruation phases). During these phases, hormones estrogen and progesterone drop and spike respectively. These dramatic shifts can increase inflammation leading to increased pain, stiffness, and fatigue.

For at least 2 weeks out of every month, I am disabled by the autoimmune disease I have.

For me, this looks like extreme fatigue, muscle pain and stiffness, joint pain and stiffness, autonomic dysfunction, migraines, shortness of breath, night sweats, and dry eyes and mouth. You can see by the length of this list how this can be disabling.

However, it’s not just menses that can cause flare-ups. Increases in stress, changes in physical activity levels, sudden lifestyle changes, environmental changes, and injury can also trigger flare-ups. 

References

•  Krewson, C. (2023). The impact of autoimmune disease on women.Retrieved January 2, 2025, https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/navigating-reproductive-health-insights-on-menstrual-cycles-and-autoimmune-diseases#

•  Yu, M. (2020). Understanding autoimmune flareups before menstrual periods. Retrieved January 2, 2025, https://www.drmaggieyu.com/blog/understanding-autoimmune-flareups-before-menstrual-periods/#

•  Zeppieri, M. (2024). The hormonal flare-up: why autoimmune symptoms could spike before your period. Retrieved January 2, 2025, https://www.foliahealth.com/blog/2024/12/26/why-autoimmune-symptoms-could-spike-before-your-period#