Women's Health & Autoimmune Disease: Sjogren's, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, & More (Women's Health Month)

Is women's health being taken seriously *enough*?

It's Women's Health Month, but are we really making progress – especially when it comes to autoimmune diseases that disproportionately affect women? In this video, Dr. Kara Wada – a board-certified allergist/immunologist and Sjogren's patient – discusses the ongoing disparities in women's health, focusing on conditions like Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, fibromyalgia, and more.

Dr. Kara highlights:

The FDA's historical exclusion of women from clinical trials (and the lasting impact).
The underrepresentation of women in medical research *today*, especially in autoimmune diseases.
How "textbook" symptoms often reflect male experiences, leading to misdiagnosis in women with Sjogren’s, lupus, and other conditions.
The gendered healthcare crisis in autoimmune diseases: Why women's pain and fatigue are often dismissed.
How to advocate for yourself (or others) and demand better care.

This video is a call to action for all of us – patients, healthcare providers, and allies – to champion inclusive research, fight bias, and empower women to take control of their health. Learn more about specific autoimmune diseases affecting women, including Sjogren's, lupus, fibromyalgia, and others, and find resources and support.

Ready to join the movement for change? 👇

Learn more about the Immune Confident Approach and how we can support you:

➡️ Join the Virtual Sjogren’s Summit Waitlist → https://www.sjogrenssummit.com/waitlist

➡️ Intralymphatic Immunotherapy (ILIT™) → https://www.drkarawada.com/immunotherapy

➡️ Join the Open House and learn more about ILIT → https://go.drkarawada.com/april-maste...

➡️ If you live in Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, Washington, Alabama, Texas, Utah, or Pennsylvania, I'd love to work with you! I offer telehealth appointments through my practice, the Immune Confident Institute. https://www.drkarawada.com/

➡️ Not in those states? My 1:1 Medical Mentorship program is available to you, no matter where you live! https://www.drkarawada.com/new-patien...

➡️ Want me to get licensed in YOUR state next? Join the practice waitlist and let me know where you are! https://www.drkarawada.com/immune-con...

➡️ Don't forget to join Dr. Kara's free Facebook group, the Becoming Immune Confident Community, for support and connection:   / crunchyallergist  

➡️ Join the Success with Sjogren's Sisterhood Facebook group for support and connection →  / successwithsjogrens  

➡️ Download Dr. Kara’s FREE Immune System Disorders Pre-Appointment Checklist to prepare for your next doctor's visit: https://www.drkarawada.com/master-you...

➡️ Download your free Sjogren’s Starter Kit for helpful resources → https://www.drkarawada.com/sjogrens-s...

CHAPTERS
01:18 History of Excluding Women from Research
03:36 Textbook Bias & Misdiagnosis in Women
05:40 Autoimmune Disease: A Gendered Health Crisis?
07:37 Sjogren's Disease
09:52 Women's Pain are Often Dismissed: The Bias
10:37 How to Advocate for Women's Health
12:25 Resources and Support for Sjogren's & Autoimmune Disease

CONNECT WITH DR. KARA
Website → https://www.drkarawada.com/
LinkedIn →   / karawadamd  
Instagram →   / immuneconfidentmd  
Podcast Instagram →   / becomingimmuneconfident  
Facebook →   / karawadamd  
Twitter →   / crunchyallergy  
TikTok →   / immuneconfidentmd