WHEN YOUR
UNDERSTANDING AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Our immune system is supposed to protect us. It is designed to fight bacteria and viruses to keep us healthy. But sometimes it mistakenly targets our own cells and tissues and attacks them instead. This is what causes autoimmune diseases – and there are over 100 of them. Of the tens of millions of people around the world suffering with autoimmune diseases, roughly 80 % are women.
What triggers autoimmune diseases?
No single cause fully explains autoimmune diseases but, most scientists agree that they arise from a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers:
• Infections and molecular mimicry: Certain pathogenic( germ) proteins resemble normal tissues and confuse the immune system into attacking the body’ s own cells
• Environmental and lifestyle factors: Smoking, air pollution, diet, stress, sleep disruption and gut microbiome imbalances are all implicated as triggers for genetic susceptibility toward disease
• Hormonal shifts: Life stages with significant hormonal changes- such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause- are often coincident with autoimmune disease onset or flares in women
• Other influences: Family history and potentially unidentified lifestyle factors may also play a role
Why are women disproportionately affected?
Scientific evidence points to several contributing biological and environmental factors:
• Hormones: Oestrogen can influence immune activity, strengthen responses and increase the risk of over-activity
• Chromosomes: Women have two X chromosomes. This can cause an overexpression of certain genes related to immune response
• Immune response differences: Women generally produce higher levels of circulating antibodies and have more robust immune responses to infections and vaccines- traits that, while beneficial against pathogens, may also predispose to autoimmunity
• Microchimerism: Is the presence of cells from one individual in another genetically distinct individual. Foetal cells can persist in a mother’ s tissues for decades after pregnancy, which may trigger an immune response
How are autoimmune diseases treated?
There are no known cures for most autoimmune diseases but many can be managed effectively, with a combination of lifestyle interventions and modern medical treatments, like immunosuppressive drugs and biologic therapies. Symptom control and supportive care, such as pain relief and physical therapy, are essential to reduce inflammation, control disease activity and preserve quality of life.
Chronic autoimmune disease is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, especially in women, partly due to chronic inflammation and the severity of symptoms, making mental health support essential.
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Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 1 / 2026