Autoimmune Diseases Impacting Women | Novartis U.S.

Autoimmune diseases, which occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs, have a staggering impact on women.¹ Studies show that nearly 80% of people living with autoimmune diseases are women, and some of these diseases, like Sjögren’s disease, affect women as much as 9 times more often than men.^1,2

While the exact reason for this gender imbalance remains unknown, researchers are exploring contributing factors, including hormones, environmental triggers, and antibody levels.³ Nevertheless, the data is clear — women are disproportionately impacted by autoimmune diseases, and their burden is exacerbated by several key obstacles.

1. Women often bear the painful burden of autoimmune diseases alone.

Women living with chronic autoimmune diseases often face an invisible burden. Symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and cognitive issues can be hard for others to see or understand, prompting friends and family to say, “You don’t look sick.”⁴ The variable nature of autoimmune diseases can disrupt daily routines and make it difficult to maintain consistency in work, social, and family life.⁵ These complexities can lead to uncertainty, social isolation, and cognitive burnout — all of which contribute to the heightened risk of depression and anxiety among those living with autoimmune diseases.^6,7 The emotional and mental toll, layered on top of physical symptoms, makes the experience especially taxing.

The average person living with an autoimmune disease sees 4 different doctors over the course of 4 years before they get a diagnosis.

2. Gender bias adds to the uphill battle of diagnosis.

Diagnosing autoimmune diseases is challenging due to the lack of specific diagnostic tests and the similarity of symptoms.⁸ In fact, the average person living with an autoimmune disease sees 4 different doctors over the course of 4 years before they get a diagnosis.⁹

For women, this path is further complicated by gender bias. Research has shown that women with chronic pain are more likely to have their symptoms attributed to mental health conditions rather than physical disease, which may delay proper care.¹⁰

Autoimmune diseases also share a wide range of overlapping symptoms, which can lead to frequent misdiagnosis.¹¹ For example, most women develop Sjögren’s disease around middle age, during the same period when many begin experiencing menopause.² Symptoms such as fatigue, vaginal and eye dryness, and joint pain are common to both, increasing the risk of misdiagnosing Sjögren’s as perimenopause or menopause.¹²

3. Lack of education and awareness pose barriers to care.

One in 15 people in the United States are estimated to be living with an autoimmune disease, but awareness and understanding are limited.^11,13 Many autoimmune diseases are not well known, so they’re not top of mind, further exacerbating delays in diagnosis and access to treatments.¹⁴

This highlights a critical need for broader education and resources that help both patients and providers recognize the signs of autoimmune diseases. Improving awareness is key to earlier diagnosis, better disease management, and ensuring women receive the care they need.

Taking action for women affected by autoimmune diseases

At Novartis, we view women’s health holistically, looking beyond reproductive issues to truly enhance well-being. We recognize that women are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, which can profoundly impact their quality of life — and we are committed to taking action. This includes empowering people to seek a diagnosis, collaborating with patient communities to foster support networks, and investing in innovative research to deepen our understanding of these complex diseases. By shedding light on the unique challenges women face, we aim to spark a broader conversation — one that reduces stigma, encourages earlier intervention, and helps pave the way to more timely, effective care.

For more information on autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s, please visit the Novartis Immunology page.