11/23/2025
Women are hit harder by rheumatoid arthritis than menβand a new study helps explain why. π
Researchers found that even when men and women have similar starting disease activity and receive comparable treatment, women tend to:
HealthCentral
πΈ Have higher disease activity over time
πΈ Need more treatment adjustments, including higher use of biologic DMARDs
πΈ Experience more difficulty with daily tasks like dressing, grooming, walking, and eating
πΈ Report more pain and functional impairment, despite being actively treated
Nearly 80% of people with autoimmune diseases are women, and women are 2β3 times more likely than men to have RA. Hormones (like estrogen), genetics, muscle strength differences, and psychosocial factors may all play a role.
For our practice, this reinforces something we see every day:
π RA is not one-size-fits-all.
π Women may need more individualized, sex-specific treatment plans and added support such as physical therapy, pain management strategies, and mental health resources.
If youβre a woman living with joint pain, stiffness, or swelling that just doesnβt add up, youβre not aloneβand you donβt have to push through it.
π¬ Talk with our rheumatology team about your symptoms, goals, and daily challenges. Together, we can build a treatment plan that supports you.
π Article: βHow Rheumatoid Arthritis Hits Women Harder Than Menβ: https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/rheumatoid-arthritis/how-rheumatoid-arthritis-hits-women-harder-than-men
