Can women with lupus erythematosus have sexual intercourse?

Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
Updated on December 17, 2024
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Women with lupus can engage in sexual activity. Sexual activity itself does not affect systemic lupus erythematosus, but it is essential to use contraception. It is recommended to use condoms for contraception. The use of contraceptive pills or withdrawal method is generally not recommended. This is because, in case of an unplanned pregnancy, there could be a risk of triggering a flare-up of the disease. Moreover, the risk of miscarriage or embryonic developmental arrest in pregnant women with lupus is much higher than in healthy individuals. If there are plans for pregnancy, it should only be considered after the disease has been stable for more than six months. During pregnancy, it is crucial to follow medical advice strictly regarding medication and to regularly undergo prenatal screening.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Does lupus cause itchy skin?

The rash in patients with lupus erythematosus is generally not noticeably itchy. In patients with lupus erythematosus, the characteristic changes include a butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks. The skin lesions of lupus erythematosus include photosensitivity, hair loss, erythema on the palms and soles and around the nails, discoid lupus, nodular erythematosus, seborrheic dermatitis, livedo reticularis, and Raynaud's phenomenon, among others. Generally, there is no noticeable itching. If significant itching occurs, it suggests an allergy. Itchy rash after immunosuppressive treatment should be monitored for fungal infections. Lupus patients receiving steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, if experiencing unexplained localized skin burning, may be showing early signs of herpes zoster and should seek prompt medical attention at a hospital.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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What should I do about lupus joint pain?

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, most suffer from arthralgia. The joint pain caused by systemic lupus erythematosus is due to the deposition of immune complexes in the joint cavity, or inflammation of the blood vessels nourishing the joints. This primarily manifests as joint swelling and pain, and often occurs symmetrically. When joint pain occurs in lupus, in addition to corticosteroid therapy, we can also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under the guidance of a doctor. These drugs can achieve good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, patients with renal insufficiency should use these drugs with caution.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can lupus patients get pregnant?

Patients with lupus can conceive normally, but it is not recommended to become pregnant. This is because patients with lupus who become pregnant are prone to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and poor fetal development in the uterus, especially in patients who are positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Pregnancy can also aggravate the disease or cause a relapse in lupus patients, and even if the disease is stable, there are cases where the condition worsens during pregnancy or after childbirth. Therefore, it is not recommended for patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus to become pregnant. If the condition has been stable for more than a year after treatment and the patient has been off medication for at least 6 months, then pregnancy can be considered. However, it is important to note that dexamethasone, immunosuppressants, and Tripterygium wilfordii tablets have side effects on the fetus and should be avoided.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Is lupus contagious?

Lupus erythematosus is not contagious. The occurrence of lupus erythematosus is related to genetic factors, the levels of sex hormones in the body, and certain environmental factors that the body is exposed to. It is the combined effect of these factors that lowers the body's immune tolerance, causing disorder in immune function, and thus leading to this autoimmune disease. Therefore, unlike diseases caused by various pathogens, it cannot be transmitted from person to person. When normal individuals come into contact with patients, there is no need to fear contagion or to isolate the patients. During the remission and stable phases of the disease, lupus patients can engage in regular work, study, and participate in social activities just like healthy individuals.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can lupus be inherited?

Lupus erythematosus is not a genetic disease, but it is a disease with a genetic predisposition. This means that genetic diseases refer to monogenic diseases, including albinism, color blindness, etc., which are determined by a pair of alleles. However, lupus erythematosus is a disease with a genetic predisposition, determined by multiple genes. Although lupus erythematosus is not a genetic disease, if your parents have lupus erythematosus, the chance of the next generation developing lupus erythematosus is about 1% to 16%. This relationship is especially significant between mothers and daughters, and among sisters. Genetic factors account for approximately 20% of the importance in the development of lupus erythematosus. Only the combination of genetic factors and environmental factors together can lead to the occurrence of lupus erythematosus.