Anyone can get lupus, no matter their age or sex. But it’s less common for men to get lupus, with about 1 in every 10 cases happening in men. Experts still aren’t sure exactly why.

Learn more about lupus. 

Lupus in men

Dealing with lupus can be especially challenging for men. That’s because men with lupus might:

• Experience more severe lupus symptoms or complications than women
• Take longer to get diagnosed
• Face stigma from people who think of lupus as a disease that only affects women
• Feel isolated because many lupus resources and support groups focus on women with lupus

Lupus symptoms and complications

Men experience many of the same lupus symptoms that women do. But research suggests that these symptoms can be more severe for men — and experts are still trying to understand why that’s the case. 

Some common symptoms that men with lupus experience include:

• Low levels of certain blood cells
• Fever or weight loss that doesn’t have another clear cause
• Antiphospholipid syndrome — this is when the body makes too many cells called antiphospholipid antibodies, which raises the risk of getting a blood clot
• Serositis — this is when a membrane in the chest gets inflamed and causes pain when taking a deep breath

Other symptoms of lupus can include:

• Feeling very tired (fatigue)
• Pain or swelling in the joints
• Swelling in the hands, feet, or the area around the eye
• Headaches
• Skin problems, such as a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose
• Hair loss

Read more about common lupus symptoms.

There are also some complications — problems that are caused by or happen at the same time as lupus — that men are more likely to experience than women. These include:

• Kidney problems, including kidney disease
• Heart, lung, and blood problems

Lupus that affects the kidneys is called lupus nephritis. Common symptoms of lupus nephritis include:

• Swelling (usually in the feet, ankles, legs, or face)
• Foamy urine
• Peeing more often than usual, especially at night
• High blood pressure

If you’re a man with lupus, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to monitor your lupus and watch for signs of these problems.

Getting diagnosed with lupus

There’s no one test that can tell you if you have lupus. And because lupus symptoms sometimes come and go, it can take a long time to determine that lupus is the cause.

Men often take longer than women to get a formal lupus diagnosis from a doctor. Because lupus is less common for men, doctors may assume that a man’s lupus symptoms are caused by a different condition and may spend more time ruling out these other conditions. And primary care doctors who don’t specialize in conditions like lupus might not be familiar with how lupus can affect men. 

If you do have lupus, it’s important to get a formal diagnosis so that you can start a treatment plan to manage your condition. If you’re experiencing symptoms of lupus but having a hard time getting diagnosed, you can:

• Learn about lupus symptoms so you know what to watch for
• Keep track of your symptoms
• Continue asking questions and sharing your concerns with your doctor
• Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a rheumatologist — a rheumatologist is a doctor that specializes in conditions like lupus, and they’ll be in the best position to determine if your symptoms are caused by lupus or not

Learn more about diagnosing lupus.

Lupus treatment

There are many treatment options, like medicines and other therapies, to help people with lupus manage their symptoms. Treatment for men with lupus is very similar to treatment for women with lupus.

Learn more about treatments for lupus.

Living with lupus as a man

Lupus can have a big impact a man’s daily life, career, and identity.

Impact on daily life and relationships

Lupus symptoms might make it more difficult for men to:

• Do chores like yardwork or cleaning
• Take care of children or other family members

Some men may worry about their lupus straining relationships with loved ones — especially if they’re not able to show up for them the way they want to. 

If you have lupus, talking to the people in your life about your condition and how it affects you can help a lot! Check out these resources to learn how to talk to others about lupus:

• Explaining lupus to others
• Men: What to say when people ask you about lupus

Impact on work

While many people with lupus are able to keep working, some people might find it difficult to keep up at work — especially if their job involves physical labor. And men can face additional pressure around work because of cultural expectations that they be financial providers for their loved ones.

You might be able to ask your employer for accommodations to make it easier for you to keep working. Accommodations might include a flexible schedule or the option to work from home sometimes.

If you’re having a hard time working with lupus, you’re not alone. Learn more about managing lupus and work:

• Workplace accommodations
• Frequently asked questions about working with lupus

And if you’re not able to work at all because of lupus, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability, which supports people who can’t work because of a medical condition.

Impact on identity

Some men may not feel like themselves after learning they have lupus. They may face challenges like:

• Experiencing social stigma from others who assume only women can get lupus
• Feeling shame or embarrassment about their symptoms or needing to ask for help and support
• Worrying about how lupus or lupus treatments might affect their skin, hair, sexual performance, or fertility

Living with lupus isn’t easy. But there are things you can do to learn to manage your condition so that you feel more like yourself. 

Learn about living well with lupus.

Sexual performance and fertility

Some men worry about whether lupus or lupus treatments will impact their sexual performance or fertility (their ability to father a child). But having lupus doesn’t affect your sexual performance or fertility. 

There are certain medicines to treat lupus that can affect a man’s fertility. For example, the medicine cyclophosphamide (brand name: Cytoxan) can lower testosterone levels (the hormone needed for creating sperm cells) and sperm count. 

If you’re concerned about how certain lupus medicines might affect you, talk to your doctor. They can talk with you about your options.

Getting support

Remember — if you’re a man living with lupus, you’re not alone. While having lupus can feel isolating at times, there are steps you can take to get support and look after yourself.

Find a doctor you can trust

A good doctor should make you feel respected, listen carefully to your concerns, and answer all of your questions. If you don’t feel confident in the care you’re getting, don’t be afraid to try another doctor or get a second opinion.

Take care of your mental health

It’s common for men with lupus to feel depressed, discouraged, or isolated at times. 

If you’re feeling that way a lot, or if you’re having a hard time dealing with lupus, make sure to talk to your doctor or a therapist. They can help you find strategies for taking care of your mental health.

Learn more about mental health and lupus.

Build a support system

It’s okay to need support or ask for help. Talking with your family, friends, and coworkers about how lupus affects you can help them understand your condition and know how best to support you.

It also helps to talk to other people who have lupus. You can:

• Use this resource to find a support group that meets virtually or in-person
• Join this support group that's just for men

Learn more

Check out these resources to learn more about lupus:

• What role do sex and gender play in lupus?
• Six men talk about their lives with lupus
• The Expert Series: Men’s Health and Special Considerations with Lupus