Persistent fatigue, unexplained hair fall, joint pain, mouth ulcers, or rashes after sun exposure are often dismissed as stress, poor sleep, hormonal changes, or overwork. But doctors warn that in some young women, these seemingly “normal” symptoms may actually signal Lupus - a chronic autoimmune condition that commonly affects women in their 20s and 30s.
According to Dr. Aruna S Malipeddi, Senior Consultant-Rheumatology, Arete Hospitals, lupus frequently goes undiagnosed in younger women because its symptoms can appear vague, scattered, and easy to overlook in the early stages. “A lot of people assume lupus begins with a dramatic presentation. More often, it doesn’t. It may start with persistent exhaustion, joint pains, unexplained hair fall, mouth ulcers, a low-grade fever, and rash after sun exposure. Because the symptoms are scattered and can mimic everyday problems, many young women don’t immediately land in a rheumatology clinic,” she said.
Also read:Scientists Discover ‘Magic Number’ of Daily Steps That May Stop Weight Regain
Dr. Malipeddi says lupus becomes particularly disruptive during the years when women are building careers, planning pregnancies, managing young families, and navigating major hormonal changes.
Doctors explain that women naturally have stronger immune responses than men due to hormonal influences and immune-related genes linked to the X chromosome. While this stronger immune system often helps fight infections, it can sometimes become overactive and mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues - the hallmark of autoimmune diseases like lupus. “In most people, that works in their favour. In lupus, it can become part of the problem - the immune system becomes over-alert and starts reacting to the body’s own cells,” she said.
Experts say lupus is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, the disease may develop through a combination of:
Lupus is rarely caused by a single factor and may develop through a combination of genetic susceptibility and hormonal changes
One of the biggest challenges with Lupus is that symptoms often appear gradually rather than dramatically. According to Dr. Manjula Anagani, Clinical Director, Robotic Gynaecologist and HOD, Care Vatsalya, Women and Child Institute, CARE Hospitals, a few common early warning signs include:
Experts say this often leads to delayed diagnosis and worsening inflammation over time. “When we say lupus is more common in women in their 20s and 30s, we’re really talking about the years when the immune system, hormones, and genetics intersect most actively. Lupus is not simply a hormone-driven disease, but estrogen does appear to amplify immune responses. In someone who is already genetically predisposed, that extra immune stimulation can matter,” she added.
Hormonal shifts during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and hormonal contraception may influence lupus activity in some patients. “We also pay very close attention to lupus during pregnancy because uncontrolled disease can increase the risk of complications, including miscarriage, pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and risks to both mother and baby if not monitored carefully,” said Dr. Anagani.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
