How does psoriasis affect women differently from men?

Studies have shown that the emotional impact of psoriasis is harder on women. In this Ask the Experts video, dermatologist Melissa Levin, MD, also explains that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should avoid certain treatments.

Transcript

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When a woman is pregnant, nursing, or attempting a pregnancy, there are actually certain medications for psoriasis that are absolute no-no's, such

00:07

as methotrexate and psoriatane. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:16

There's actually been many studies that have shown that the emotional and social impact of psoriasis in women is worse than in men.

00:24

There's actually a complicated relationship between confidence, skin disease, and how we're perceived as women when we have psoriasis.

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I think this is really because psoriasis tends to involve the visible areas of the body like the elbows, the knees, and particularly, the scalp.

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Also, there are private areas that are involved in psoriasis commonly, such as underneath the breast, in the groin, on the genitals,

00:48

and around the anus. When women are uncomfortable in their skin, it often affects their social lives and their confidence.

00:54

It's important to come up with a treatment strategy in order to effectively treat all the body parts that are involved.

01:00

When a woman is pregnant, nursing, or attempting a pregnancy, there are actually certain medications for psoriasis that are absolute no-no's, such as

01:08

methotrexate and psoriatane. However, there are medications that can effectively treat psoriasis during pregnancy, after pregnancy,

01:16

and when you're breastfeeding. Finding the right treatment course with your dermatologist and obstetrician is important so that we can effectively