The elevated risk factor of autoimmune conditions in women are thought to be associated with physiological changes; for example, hormonal shifts, sex chromosomes, stress, genetics or a variety of different factors. Some of these differences are unique to women, such as the effects during pregnancy. It is possible that this immune reaction could be heightened through pregnancy, as the mother's immune system works to protect both her and her infant. Women with autoimmune diseases can safely have children. There are some risks for the mother or baby, depending on the disease and how severe it is. For some women, symptoms tend to improve during pregnancy, while others find that their symptoms flare up. Also, some medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases might not be safe to use during pregnancy. Importantly, there are other methods for mediating these diseases, such as lifestyle changes to help control the over-active immune system.
