top of page
Working at home

Collision Course: Menopause and Autoimmunity

ree

We often hear about hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings when it comes to menopause. But one ever talks about its impact on the immune system – especially in relation to autoimmune conditions. Yet, for many women, this overlooked link could be the missing piece in understanding their changing health.


What Are Autoimmune Diseases?

To better understand the links between menopause and immunity, it is first important to understand what we mean when we say “autoimmune diseases”.

The Cleveland Clinic offers a helpful analogy: “Imagine your body is a castle and your immune system is an army…If the army malfunctions and attacks the castle itself, you may have an autoimmune disease” (Autoimmune…, 2024).

There are many different types, including lupus, alopecia and celiac disease. What they all have in common is that the body is essentially attacking itself. While there is currently no cure for any of these diseases, patients typically work with healthcare providers to manage their symptoms and maintain as normal a life as possible.


The Hormone-Immunity Link

Hormones do much more than just regulate periods and reproduction. They also help to keep your immune system balanced. Oestrogen, for example, can influence how immune cells behave to help prevent excessive inflammation.


However, during menopause, oestrogen levels drop which can throw off this immune balance.

According to research, this hormone “has different regulatory mechanisms in different immune cells to exert beneficial effects on immune cells” (Chen et.al., 2024).

For this reason, without it, the immune system can be prone to more exaggerated responses – and in some people, this means that autoimmune responses can be triggered or intensified.


However, everyone’s bodies handle things differently. Some women may experience noticeable changes in their autoimmune system during menopause, and others might not.


Autoimmune Diseases Commonly Affected By Menopause

Although autoimmune diseases can affect anyone, research has shown that “women are more prone to develop” them (Bridges et.al., 2020) – and hormonal changes, including those during menopause, seem to play a role in that.


Here are a few of the autoimmune conditions most affected by menopause:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This condition is most likely to show up between the ages of 45 and 55, due to menopause. It is also possible that symptoms worsen significantly during this period.

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Medications used to treat lupus can trigger early menopause, which may then make symptoms worse. Hormonal shifts are generally what control flare-ups of this disease.

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): The symptoms of MS are very similar to the effects of menopause and so, this combination could make you feel much worse.


The Psychological Impact of The Connection

Menopause is not just a physical change – it often comes with psychological challenges such as anxiety and depression, which can influence how autoimmune diseases behave.


These mental health challenges can trigger the release of stress hormones which can disrupt the immune system.

As suggested by the Global Autoimmune Institute, “Stress may both trigger and exacerbate autoimmune disease”, particularly as “Up to 80% of patients have reported uncommon emotional stress before the onset of the disease” (Stress…, 2024).

This is why it is crucial to address mental health alongside the physical symptoms of both menopause and autoimmune diseases. Having a good support system is essential to maintaining balance during this challenging life stage.


Management Strategies

Because stress and emotional wellbeing are such a big part of the picture, managing menopause and autoimmune diseases involves more than just tackling a couple of symptoms. For many women it is about finding a balance of medical treatment that works for them.


One popular option is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) which can help to balance the symptoms of menopause and regulate the immune system. It aims to replace the hormones, such as oestrogen, that fall during menopause; helping to make patients feel more like themselves again.

“HRT can help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, two key factors in autoimmune disorders” (The Role of…, 2023).

But HRT is not right for everyone, so it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about what might work best for you.


In addition to medical options, these lifestyle changes may also help reduce your symptoms:

  • Diet: Eating anti-inflammatory foods like berries, fatty fish and grapes – while cutting back on processed foods – can help to calm your immune system.

  • Exercise: Regular exercise may help to reduce inflammation and keep your joints happy and healthy.

  • Stress Management: Stress can trigger autoimmune flares, so trying things like mindfulness, yoga and breathing exercises might help to reduce symptoms

  • Sleep: Getting good-quality sleep is essential to help your immune system regulate itself


What Research Says

In the last decade, the research community has started to pay more attention to the interaction between menopause and autoimmune diseases.

We now know that “Immunity in females is especially tied to sex hormones”. (Graham et.al., 2024)
But, as scientists have pointed out, “there is limited data on how menopause impacts autoimmune diseases” and so, we have a long way to go before we can fully understand this crossover. (Motta et. al., 2025)

That is why it is so important to shine a light on these connections, to spark conversations, and to push for medical care that truly reflects women’s experiences. Understanding how menopause affects immunity is key to improving and evolving women’s healthcare.


References


Chen, L., Lou, J., Wu, S., Xie, R., Xu, J., Xu, T., & Zhang, T. (2024). The beneficial roles and mechanisms of estrogens in immune health and infection disease. Steroids, 207, 109426–109426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109426


Autoimmune Diseases: Causes, Symptoms, What Is It & Treatment. (2024). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases


Graham, B., Haupt, S., & Huxley, R. (2025). Unravelling sex differences in autoimmune diseases. UNSW Sites. https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/09/unravelling-sex-differences-autoimmune-diseases?utm_source=chatgpt.com


Bridges, S. L., Davis, J. M, & Kronzer, V. L. (2020). Why women have more autoimmune diseases than men: an evolutionary perspective. Evolutionary Applications, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13167


Motta, F., Di Simone, N., & Selmi, C. (2025). The Impact of Menopause on Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 68(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-025-09031-8


Stress & Autoimmune Disease: Navigating the Complex Relationship» Global Autoimmune Institute. (2024, June 3). Global Autoimmune Institute. https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/stress-autoimmune-disease-navigating-the-complex-relationship/?utm_source=chatgpt.com


The Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Treating Autoimmune Disorders - Vital Force IV Therapy. (2023, October 9). Vital Force IV Therapy. https://vitalforceal.com/hormone-replacement-therapy/the-role-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-in-treating-autoimmune-disorders/

 

Comments


bottom of page