Antardhwani Empowers Women Facing RA & AS Conditions – Seminar Addresses Hormones, Fertility, and Inflammation Issues
Ahmedabad: Antardhwani, a patient support group, organised a dedicated all-women health seminar, ‘Women with RA & AS: Understanding Hormones, Fertility & Inflammation’ at HD Auditorium, St Xavier’s College, here on Sunday. Around 200 participants took part in meaningful interactions with experts who talked on how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) conditions intersect women’s health with hormones, fertility, inflammation, pregnancy
The event gathered patients, caregivers, and medical professionals focused on challenges faced by women with RA and AS conditions. The seminar explored pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause stages with hormonal shifts that affect disease. It bridged rheumatology and reproductive health to offer a clear, practical roadmap for disease management.
The experts were gynecologist Dr. Pushpa Yadava and rheumatologists, Dr. Sapan Pandya, Dr. Vishnu Sharma, Dr. Reena Sharma, and Dr. Pooja Srivastav.
“For too long, women have managed these conditions without a clear understanding of how their own biology interacts with their diagnosis. Sunday’s event was about empowering women to have informed conversations with their doctors and take charge of their health at every stage of life,” said Dr. Pandya.
Dr Yadava guided the participants on the importance of lifestyle adjustments and how to adjust medication during pregnancy on the doctor’s consultation. “Taking due care when a woman plans pregnancy is very important. There should be proper coo-ordination between her gynecologist and a rheumatologist to ensure that the patient receives the right dose without harming either the mother or her unborn child,’’ she said.
Dr Reena Sharma said many patients take self-mediation and come to doctors late. “That is dangerous. Patients should consult an expert before starting any medication,” she said.
Dr Srivastav highlighted the beauty of pregnancy and the different diseases that behave differently during pregnancy. “Pregnancy is the beauty of the nature. During pregnancy, autoimmune diseases behave differently and a patient should know this so that necessary steps can be taken,” she said.
