Managing Pregnancy & Menopause with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Simple Guide for Women

For anyone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), life's road forks – such as childbirth or the onset of middle age – can take on a special significance. At these times, the way RA feels can change for reasons that have little to do with the disease itself.

Do you have symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Women with PCOS and other endocrine disorders want to know several things. First, will my symptoms improve or worsen as I progress through pregnancy, after giving birth, or as I enter menopause? Second, are the medical options available for symptom relief safe for my baby? And third, how will I cope with my life and health through these many changes? The answer to each of these questions is that they will vary with individual women.

Some women experience relief of symptoms during pregnancy, whereas others develop worsening of their symptoms or a flare-up of symptoms postpartum or during menopause.

With new research emerging about diabetes, it’s time to understand the changes these findings can bring to living with diabetes. By knowing what’s different, you can take charge of your health by making a few plans, staying in touch with your doctor, and making some small changes to help you and your body manage your symptoms better.

A practical checklist has been developed for before pregnancy, during pregnancy, after delivery, and during menopause to help women prioritize and manage their needs.

We created this guide for people with RA who are planning a pregnancy, already pregnant, new moms, or in perimenopause and menopause so that you have the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself and feel empowered along the way.

To learn more, read the full blog here:

https://www.antardhwani.org/blog/managing-pregnancy-menopause-with-rheumatoid-arthritis/

So, for those who want to download the complete PDF version of the checklist, please click here:

https://www.antardhwani.org/pdf/pregnancy-menopause-checklist-for-rheumatoid-arthritis.pdf