Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms in MenCommon SymptomsWhy It’s Less CommonSex TransitionEmotional ChallengesDiagnosis/OutcomeFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms in Men
Common Symptoms
Why It’s Less Common
Sex Transition
Emotional Challenges
Diagnosis/Outcome
Frequently Asked Questions
While nearly 90% of people with lupus are assigned female at birth, men can get lupus and should know the symptoms to look for.People transitioning from one sex to another may see a change in their risk of lupus, as well.
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What Is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Lupus Symptoms in Men
Males can get any of the common lupus symptoms, but evidence suggests certain lupus symptoms are more common in those assigned male at birth than in other people with the disease.
Lupus symptoms that appear to be more common in men include:
Older research suggests a type of lupus calleddiscoid lupusis more common in males. Discoid lupus causes reddish, scaly skin.
Lupus nephritis, which affects the kidneys, may be more severe in those assigned male at birth.
Lupus Symptoms in Men and Women
Common Lupus Symptoms
Some common lupus symptoms may accompany those that are more common in males. They include:
Early Signs of Lupus in Women and Men
Lupus and Male FertilityLupus doesn’t appear to affectmale fertility. However, some lupus medications may damage sperm-producing cells.Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)and glucocorticoids may affect your reproductive abilities. If you’re intending to cause a pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about protecting your fertility and safeguarding the health of your child.
Lupus and Male Fertility
Lupus doesn’t appear to affectmale fertility. However, some lupus medications may damage sperm-producing cells.Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)and glucocorticoids may affect your reproductive abilities. If you’re intending to cause a pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about protecting your fertility and safeguarding the health of your child.
Why Is Lupus Less Common in Men?
More questions than answers exist when it comes to discussing lupus and sex-based differences, including why it’s so much less common in males. However, researchers have some ideas about what could be causing the differences.
A potential answer might be the role of sex hormones:
People of all sexes have both female and male hormones, just in different amounts.
Females with lupus have abnormally high estrogen and low progesterone levels. Males with lupus may have high estrogen and lower testosterone levels than is considerednormal for their age.
Researchers also suspect sex-based differences inimmune functionandgeneticsplay a role in who gets lupus more often. Pregnancy changes the body in ways that may increase the likelihood of autoimmune disease, as well.
Lupus Causes in Women and Men
Lupus in Transgender or Non-Binary People
Research on lupus intransgenderor non-binary people is in its earliest stages. However, the role of sex hormones in people who are transitioning has gained some attention.
A 2022 review looked at case studies involvingautoimmuneandautoinflammatoryrheumatic diseases in trans people on hormone therapy. Conditions included:
Most of the cases were in trans women and occurred after they started estrogen therapy. In some cases, stopping hormone therapy helped alleviate symptoms and disease activity. This all seems to bolster the theory that sex hormones play a major role in these diseases.
One trans man who had lupus before transitioning had a marked improvement in symptoms after starting testosterone therapy.
Again, research is just beginning, and there’s much to learn about the medical effects of hormone therapy for transition.
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
All chronic disease can cause emotional difficulties, such as depression. Males with lupus may wrestle with extra problems because of societal expectations.
Being unable to perform physical labor and perhaps being unable to hold a job are all harder, socially, for people who present as men. Having a “women’s disease” can add to that burden.
If you’re struggling to cope with your illness, talk to your healthcare provider and look forsupport groupsthat include or are exclusively for males with lupus, autoimmunity, orchronic pain. Online groups may give you a better chance of finding groups with other males.
Differences in Diagnosis and Outcome
Because lupus is sometimes thought of as a “women’s disease,” healthcare providers may not consider that diagnosis when you go in with symptoms.This is especially true if your symptoms don’t match what they’re used to seeing with lupus.
An early lupus diagnosis can lead to a better outcome,so it’s in your best interest to push for diagnostic tests if you think you could have lupus. If your provider is reluctant to test or isn’t comfortable diagnosing you, consider getting a second opinion.
Lupus is rarely a simple, straightforward diagnosis. It can take a few rounds of testing to know for sure whether you have it. Expect it to take a while and try not to get discouraged. Each test brings you closer to knowing what’s wrong and how to treat it.
How Lupus Is Treated
Summary
Males get lupus less often than females and may have different symptoms, as well. For example, males with lupus might be more likely to have a discoid rash or kidney problems.
The reasons for the sex-based disparity is thought to be sex hormones, differences in the immune system, and genetics. People transitioning from one sex to another with hormone therapy may change their susceptibility to lupus.
Males with lupus may face an added stigma over having a debilitating illness in general and also for having a “women’s disease.” Finding support from other males like you may help.
If you suspect you have lupus, ask your healthcare provider to test you. Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes, but some providers fail to think of lupus as a possibility when their patient is male.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLupus can occur in anyone at any age but is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. Some data has shown that males tend to be diagnosed around the age of 40, which is about 10 years later than when most females with lupus get diagnosed.Learn MoreLupus Causes and Risk FactorsTesting for anyone with suspected lupus usually involves a combination of blood and urine tests and a conversation with a provider about symptoms.However, it’s can be harder for men to get a diagnosis of lupus because healthcare providers may not consider the diagnosis a likely possibility, at least initially.Learn MoreHow Lupus Is DiagnosedSome research has suggested that compounds in garlic and alfalfa sprouts could trigger a flare of lupus symptoms. That’s because they boost the immune system, which is a bad thing in people with autoimmune diseases.Learn MoreIs There a Lupus Diet?
Lupus can occur in anyone at any age but is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. Some data has shown that males tend to be diagnosed around the age of 40, which is about 10 years later than when most females with lupus get diagnosed.Learn MoreLupus Causes and Risk Factors
Lupus can occur in anyone at any age but is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. Some data has shown that males tend to be diagnosed around the age of 40, which is about 10 years later than when most females with lupus get diagnosed.
Learn MoreLupus Causes and Risk Factors
Testing for anyone with suspected lupus usually involves a combination of blood and urine tests and a conversation with a provider about symptoms.However, it’s can be harder for men to get a diagnosis of lupus because healthcare providers may not consider the diagnosis a likely possibility, at least initially.Learn MoreHow Lupus Is Diagnosed
Testing for anyone with suspected lupus usually involves a combination of blood and urine tests and a conversation with a provider about symptoms.However, it’s can be harder for men to get a diagnosis of lupus because healthcare providers may not consider the diagnosis a likely possibility, at least initially.
Testing for anyone with suspected lupus usually involves a combination of blood and urine tests and a conversation with a provider about symptoms.
However, it’s can be harder for men to get a diagnosis of lupus because healthcare providers may not consider the diagnosis a likely possibility, at least initially.
Learn MoreHow Lupus Is Diagnosed
Some research has suggested that compounds in garlic and alfalfa sprouts could trigger a flare of lupus symptoms. That’s because they boost the immune system, which is a bad thing in people with autoimmune diseases.Learn MoreIs There a Lupus Diet?
Some research has suggested that compounds in garlic and alfalfa sprouts could trigger a flare of lupus symptoms. That’s because they boost the immune system, which is a bad thing in people with autoimmune diseases.
Learn MoreIs There a Lupus Diet?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rider V, Abdou NI, Kimler BF, Lu N, Brown S, Fridley BL.Gender bias in human systemic lupus erythematosus: A problem of steroid receptor action?.Front Immunol. 2018;9:611. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00611Salgado E, Romera-Baurés M, Beltran-Catalan E, et al.Inmune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases in transgender people: A scoping review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2022;52:151920. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.10.004Schwartzman-morris J, Putterman C.Gender differences in the pathogenesis and outcome of lupus and of lupus nephritis.Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:604892. doi:10.1155/2012/604892Riveros Frutos A, Casas I, Rúa-Figueroa I, et al.Systemic lupus erythematosus in Spanish males: a study of the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) cohort.Lupus. 2017;26(7):698-706. doi:10.1177/0961203316673728Hospital for Special Surgery.Top 10 series: Lupus and gender.Lupus Foundation of America.Does lupus occur in men?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus: Symptoms.Lockshin MD.Nonhormonal explanations for sex discrepancy in human illness.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1193:22-24. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05293.xOcon A, Peredo-Wende R, Kremer JM, Bhatt BD.Significant symptomatic improvement of subacute cutaneous lupus after testosterone therapy in a female-to-male transgender subject.Lupus. 2018;27(2):347-348. doi:10.1177/0961203317734921Akhil S, Sharma KSK, Kumar D.Male systemic lupus erythematosus: Two distinct presentations.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(10):3910-3912. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_37_21Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.5 things to avoid if you have lupus.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rider V, Abdou NI, Kimler BF, Lu N, Brown S, Fridley BL.Gender bias in human systemic lupus erythematosus: A problem of steroid receptor action?.Front Immunol. 2018;9:611. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00611Salgado E, Romera-Baurés M, Beltran-Catalan E, et al.Inmune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases in transgender people: A scoping review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2022;52:151920. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.10.004Schwartzman-morris J, Putterman C.Gender differences in the pathogenesis and outcome of lupus and of lupus nephritis.Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:604892. doi:10.1155/2012/604892Riveros Frutos A, Casas I, Rúa-Figueroa I, et al.Systemic lupus erythematosus in Spanish males: a study of the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) cohort.Lupus. 2017;26(7):698-706. doi:10.1177/0961203316673728Hospital for Special Surgery.Top 10 series: Lupus and gender.Lupus Foundation of America.Does lupus occur in men?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus: Symptoms.Lockshin MD.Nonhormonal explanations for sex discrepancy in human illness.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1193:22-24. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05293.xOcon A, Peredo-Wende R, Kremer JM, Bhatt BD.Significant symptomatic improvement of subacute cutaneous lupus after testosterone therapy in a female-to-male transgender subject.Lupus. 2018;27(2):347-348. doi:10.1177/0961203317734921Akhil S, Sharma KSK, Kumar D.Male systemic lupus erythematosus: Two distinct presentations.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(10):3910-3912. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_37_21Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.5 things to avoid if you have lupus.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rider V, Abdou NI, Kimler BF, Lu N, Brown S, Fridley BL.Gender bias in human systemic lupus erythematosus: A problem of steroid receptor action?.Front Immunol. 2018;9:611. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00611Salgado E, Romera-Baurés M, Beltran-Catalan E, et al.Inmune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases in transgender people: A scoping review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2022;52:151920. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.10.004Schwartzman-morris J, Putterman C.Gender differences in the pathogenesis and outcome of lupus and of lupus nephritis.Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:604892. doi:10.1155/2012/604892Riveros Frutos A, Casas I, Rúa-Figueroa I, et al.Systemic lupus erythematosus in Spanish males: a study of the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) cohort.Lupus. 2017;26(7):698-706. doi:10.1177/0961203316673728Hospital for Special Surgery.Top 10 series: Lupus and gender.Lupus Foundation of America.Does lupus occur in men?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus: Symptoms.Lockshin MD.Nonhormonal explanations for sex discrepancy in human illness.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1193:22-24. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05293.xOcon A, Peredo-Wende R, Kremer JM, Bhatt BD.Significant symptomatic improvement of subacute cutaneous lupus after testosterone therapy in a female-to-male transgender subject.Lupus. 2018;27(2):347-348. doi:10.1177/0961203317734921Akhil S, Sharma KSK, Kumar D.Male systemic lupus erythematosus: Two distinct presentations.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(10):3910-3912. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_37_21Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.5 things to avoid if you have lupus.
Rider V, Abdou NI, Kimler BF, Lu N, Brown S, Fridley BL.Gender bias in human systemic lupus erythematosus: A problem of steroid receptor action?.Front Immunol. 2018;9:611. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00611
Salgado E, Romera-Baurés M, Beltran-Catalan E, et al.Inmune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases in transgender people: A scoping review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2022;52:151920. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.10.004
Schwartzman-morris J, Putterman C.Gender differences in the pathogenesis and outcome of lupus and of lupus nephritis.Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:604892. doi:10.1155/2012/604892
Riveros Frutos A, Casas I, Rúa-Figueroa I, et al.Systemic lupus erythematosus in Spanish males: a study of the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) cohort.Lupus. 2017;26(7):698-706. doi:10.1177/0961203316673728
Hospital for Special Surgery.Top 10 series: Lupus and gender.
Lupus Foundation of America.Does lupus occur in men?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus: Symptoms.
Lockshin MD.Nonhormonal explanations for sex discrepancy in human illness.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1193:22-24. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05293.x
Ocon A, Peredo-Wende R, Kremer JM, Bhatt BD.Significant symptomatic improvement of subacute cutaneous lupus after testosterone therapy in a female-to-male transgender subject.Lupus. 2018;27(2):347-348. doi:10.1177/0961203317734921
Akhil S, Sharma KSK, Kumar D.Male systemic lupus erythematosus: Two distinct presentations.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(10):3910-3912. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_37_21
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.5 things to avoid if you have lupus.
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