Sjögren's Disease and Menopause: Understanding the Connection

 

 

As a woman,the process of aging in and of itself is enough to drive a sane person insane. The hormonal shifts, highs and lows, new aches, adult acne, hot one minute, shivering the next--these very "normal" changes are an obstacle course on their own. Add in an autoimmune disease & early onset menopuase, and you just may feel as if you're being punished for some unknown crime. For many women, this is the reality when they face Sjögren's disease and early menopause. These two conditions, though distinct, have a surprising connection that can significantly impact a woman's life. 

For those that are visiting for the first time( welcome, and thank you for coming) I am a Sjogren's patient, and have written extensively about what the disease is and my own personal experiences on this health journey. In a nutshell, Sjögren's disease is a systemic and chronic autoimmune disease. The identifying markers,are  primarily a lack of moisture or depletion of the exocrine glands ( i.e dry mouth, dry eyes etc.)  These hallmark symptoms of the disease also impact other parts of the body, leading to fatigue, fever, aches and joint pain. 

While everyone's experience varies, Sjogren's has many manifestations and often includes major organ involvement such as the kidneys, or lungs. It is estimated that about 1 to 4 million people in the United States are affected by Sjögren's disease, with women being disproportionately affected, comprising 90% of those diagnosed.

So what does all this have to do with menopause? Read on. Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, typically occurring around the age of 51. However, some women experience early menopause, defined as menopause before the age of 45. Early menopause can be triggered by various factors, including autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's.

The immune system's attack on the body's own tissues in Sjögren's disease can extend to the ovaries, potentially leading to premature ovarian failure. This condition can accelerate the onset of menopause, creating a complex interplay between Sjögren's and menopause.  The many manifestations of Sjogrens combined with early onset menopause, can be confusing and hard to identify as symptoms of the disease can mimic symptoms of menopause. Women with Sjögren's often report menopausal symptoms earlier than their peers, which only exacerbate the challenges they already face.

Believe me, it is A LOT!! The mental and emotional rollercoaster is like nothing I've ever experienced, including Sjogrens itself. 

Dealing with the dual challenges of Sjögren's disease and early menopause was overwhelming to say the least, but with familial support, faith and a supportive care team, were vital  in helping me navigate these very choppy waters. I felt alone, confused and just plain lost. As I began to further research the connection, I was floored by the statistics I found. 

• Prevalence of Sjögren's: Approximately 0.5% of the population is affected, with a significant majority being female.

• Early Menopause Statistics: Around 5% of women experience early menopause, with autoimmune diseases being a contributing factor in many cases.

• Overlap: Studies suggest that women with Sjögren's disease are 10 times more likely to experience premature ovarian failure compared to the general population.

The data is clear and it is horrifying! Reading about it is one thing, experiencing it is a chapter in a book all it's own. If there's one lesson I could share from my own experience it would be ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF!! I cannot stress the importance of speaking up and speaking out enough. The care team I have now is wonderful, but trust I had to travel the road to Damascus to get here. I know what it feels like to be told "it's all in your head" "you're not old enough for menopause--yet". I heard so much negativity, doubt and gaslighting about my own body. Ladies, trust yourself. Trust the instincts that let you know a transition is taking place. Trust that you have lived in this body longer than your doctor has probably been alive. You KNOW when something is "off". Trust yourself !

Lastly, know that you are not alone and you don't have to walk this road by yourself. There are resources, organizations and support groups on every coast. Is it enough? No. Absolutely not, but we have to start somewhere. My hope is that the conversation will move beyond just women at a coffee shop or in the waiting room of a medical office. I hope that more businesses, communities, places of worship--everybody, will find women's healthcare worthy and important enough to make it a central focus. I'm praying that health outcomes for those of us battling autoimmune diseases will finally become important enough for community based organizations, businesses --you name it --to make us a priority. Ladies, be gentle with yourself. Menopause paired with an autoimmune disease isn't a concoction anyone would ask for but it does get better. 

The dark days, fear and anxiety really do get better. From my heart to yours. Til next time.

N. Wilson 💗

#menopause #autoimmunedisease #spoonies