5 Risk Factors of Lupus

Hormones

Hormones are essential when regulating a number of your body’s functions. Since so many lupus patients are female, researchers are particularly interested in the possible relationship between lupus and estrogen.

Of course, women produce more estrogen than men and the timing of symptoms is also interesting. Many women show symptoms before they menstruate or during pregnancy when estrogen production is particularly high. This relationship has not been proven, however, as studies that have examined estrogen in birth control pills show no increased risk.