What are the intersections between Women's History Month and Autoimmune Awareness Month?

Although March is Autoimmune Awareness Month, it is also Women's History Month. It is no surprise that these two celebrations coincide, especially since autoimmune diseases stand out as a significant and often overlooked aspect of women's health. Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, with nearly 70-80% of those diagnosed being women. The journey to diagnosis is often fraught with misinterpretations of symptoms and dismissals, particularly for women whose pain is historically invalidated or attributed to psychosomatic causes.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, hysteria—which was once considered a psychological disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—was often diagnosed in women when male physicians did not understand their symptoms. Unfortunately, women continue to experience their symptoms being dismissed by healthcare providers today, in that their symptoms are "all in their head". A memoir by Emily Wells called A Matter of Appearance, explains her journey to receiving an autoimmune disease diagnosis of Behçet’s disease in which she had to prove that her symptoms were real and not psychological.

Autoimmune disease is as much a women's issue as it is a public health crisis. Women's History Month provides a platform to elevate the voices of those affected by autoimmune diseases and advocate for greater awareness and research funding. Dr. Bexi (Rebecca) Lobo shares her thoughts on Women's History and autoimmune diseases, highlighting the unique struggles of women in their health journeys.

By sharing stories, educating communities, and challenging stereotypes, we can break down barriers to diagnosis and treatment to ensure women receive the support and care they deserve. Join our Faces of Autoimmune Disease campaign to show the public what everyday autoimmune disease patients look like. You can also share your stories here or here.

To support the Autoimmune Registry, please join our registry or share it with a friend with an autoimmune condition. Donations are also greatly appreciated!