What is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body).

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These auto antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better).

Symptoms:
Because lupus can affect so many different organs, a wide range of symptoms can occur. 

Common Symptoms are:
  • Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
  • Headaches
  • Painful or swollen joints
  • Fever
  • Anemia (low numbers of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or low total blood volume)
  • Swelling (edema) in feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes
  • Pain in chest on deep breathing (pleurisy)
  • Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
  • Sun- or light-sensitivity (photosensitivity)
  • Hair loss
  • Abnormal blood clotting
  • Fingers turning white and/or blue when cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
  • Mouth or nose ulcers

Additional Lupus Facts:
  • Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
  • Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
  • At least 1.5 million Americans have lupus.
  • More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.
  • 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
  • Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44).
  • Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
  • People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.

End Her Silence Campaign

This campaign was created to bridge the gap between Endometriosis, Lupus & PCOS - all silent conditions that effect millions of women and their families. END Her Silence is an open-conversation about women's health. We hope to bring resources, guest speakers, and support to fighters and supporters.

Interviews

Stories coming soon - of women who battle with silent conditions and how they've overcome!

Why Endometriosis,
Lupus & PCOS?

Silent conditions effect millions of women in the United States every year. Conditions such as Endometriosis, Lupus and PCOS are considered to be "silent" because they are not conditions that many women or their peers know about, due to several factors including:
* Lack of proper diagnosis,
* Misunderstanding of the condition,
* Condition is not visible on a daily basis due to various "flare ups" (inflammation).

Each of these conditions is effected by a woman's immune system and/or her hormones - things that are not easily controllable. We have decided to join forces to take a stand and spread awareness about these silent conditions. Conditions such as Endometriosis, Lupus and PCOS all effect a woman's quality of life. When these conditions take over a woman's body, it can become crippling and a burden to her, as well as her loved ones. These conditions can also have a huge financial risk - as women search, daily, for doctors, medical assistance, surgeries, etc.

Our goal is to bring women together to SPEAK OUT about silent conditions and women's health!
Building an alliance that will show all women that there is support available, and together, we can become our own advocates!

What is PCOS?

PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts  on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

The cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but genetics may be a factor. PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have it or have irregular periods or diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side.

Symptoms:
Common symptoms are:
  • Acne.
  • Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
  • Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
  • Thinning hair on the scalp.
  • Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
  • Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
  • Depression.