As a biotechnology graduate, I have always been fascinated by healthcare, especially women’s health. But it wasn’t until my third year of university, while taking an elective course, that I stumbled upon something truly mind-blowing—women are far more prone to autoimmune diseases than men.

This immediately got me thinking. Why? Why is it that men tend to struggle more with diseases like heart attacks, high blood pressure, and diabetes, while women, on the other hand, seem to bear the brunt of autoimmune conditions? It felt unfair, almost as if nature had played a cruel joke. But as I dug deeper, I realized there was so much more to it than just bad luck.

A Stronger Immune System—But at What Cost?

At first, it seems like women should have an advantage. We have stronger immune systems, we fight off infections better, and we even produce more antibodies than men. But this "strength" comes with a price—our immune systems can become too aggressive, turning against us and attacking our bodies.

One reason is genetics. Women have two X chromosomes, which means double the immune-related genes. While this can be helpful, it also increases the chances of overactivity in the immune system. And then there’s hormones—estrogen fuels immune responses, making women both more resistant to infections and more prone to autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, testosterone suppresses immunity, which is why men don’t get these diseases as often.

The Silent Toll of “Doing It All”

But what truly fascinates me isn’t just the biological side of things—it’s the way our roles, our stress, and even our mindset as women push our bodies to the limit.

Think about it. Women take on so much. We juggle our careers, our families, our ambitions, and society’s expectations—all while carrying the invisible weight of being "strong" all the time. The women I know who have autoimmune diseases? They’re the ones who never stop, never rest, never allow themselves a moment of weakness. And the harsh truth is—this constant drive can be harmful.

Stress, lack of rest, emotional exhaustion—these things impact our hormones, weaken our resilience, and make our bodies more vulnerable to autoimmune conditions. And yet, we push on, thinking we have to.

Preserving Our Femininity: Strength Without Sacrifice

As women, we’ve been told we have to match men in every way to be taken seriously. Be as tough. Work as hard. Push as aggressively. And while I believe in ambition, I also believe there’s a balance—one that doesn’t force us to sacrifice our femininity in the name of proving our worth.

Femininity isn’t just about appearance. It’s about grace, nurturing, intuition, and emotional depth—qualities that have immense power. But when we take on the “Superwoman Syndrome,” constantly pushing ourselves to perform at the highest level in every single aspect of life, we risk losing that softness, that balance, that energy that makes us feel whole.

I have read countless research papers, watched experts speak on women’s health, and reflected deeply on my life. And I’ve realized—we don’t need to prove our strength by destroying ourselves. True strength is knowing when to rest, when to say no, when to slow down and embrace the things that make us feel like ourselves again.

So to every woman reading this: take care of yourself, not just for the sake of your future children, your family, or your career—but for you. You deserve to be healthy, whole, and at peace, simply because you exist. Honor that.