Although almost 90% of lupus patients (systemic lupus erythematosus) between the ages of 15 and 45 are women, men can also develop lupus and they should know what symptoms to watch out for. Lupus symptoms in men are often identical to those experienced by women with the disease. However, research has found that some symptoms of lupus, such as a discoid (chronic) rash and kidney problems, may be more common in men than in women. What are the symptoms of lupus in men? Men can develop some of the common symptoms of lupus (such as fatigue), but there is also evidence that certain lupus symptoms are more common in men than in women with the disease. A question that often comes up when discussing lupus is whether the disease affects the sexes differently. A number of studies have been done to determine whether lupus is different in women and men, but the results vary almost as much as the studies themselves (for example, how they were conducted, the number of male patients, and the race and ethnicity of the patients). However, studies have noted some gender differences in the course of the disease. Lupus symptoms that seem to be more common in men include: Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lung); Kidney disorder; Discoid butterfly rash (reddish, scaly skin); Hemolytic anemia (from the destruction of red blood cells); Lupus anticoagulant (may promote abnormal blood clotting); Seizures While discoid lupus is more common in men, the lesions look the same in all patients who develop them. Common lupus symptoms that occur equally in men and women include: Severe fatigue; Painful, swollen joints; Swelling of the whole body; Headache Why is lupus less common in men? There are more questions than answers when it comes to discussing lupus, and why the disease affects women so much more than men. A potential answer to this question may lie in the role of sex hormones—estrogens, typically associated with women, and androgens, typically associated with men. It is thought that estrogens may promote the development of autoimmune diseases, while androgens may offer some protection against these diseases. Higher estrogen levels in women may be one reason why the disease is more common in them. Low androgen levels in men are thought to be linked to the development of lupus in men. References: 1. Lupus Foundation of America. Does lupus occur in men? 2. Hospital for Special Surgery. Lupus and gender 3. Verywell Health. Lupus Symptoms in Men: What to Look For