 [ Symptoms ] i was stung by a red wasp – it is not improving [ Disease ] the chances of developing lupus systemic lupus erythematosus or sle are higher in people who are female are black are between the ages 15 and 45 have a family history of lupus take medications that are associated with drug induced systemic lupus results from studies are mixed on the effect that the hormone estrogen has on a woman is risk of lupus or of having lupus flares for example while most women do not have symptom flares during pregnancy when a woman has a high level of estrogen a few women do have flares during pregnancy and although most women develop lupus when they are age 15 to 45 when estrogen levels are higher a number of women develop lupus after menopause when estrogen levels are low hormone replacement therapy  hrt  and birth control pills oral contraceptives  do not appear to affect a woman is risk of lupus 2 birth control pills also do not appear to increase the chance of symptom flares in women with moderate lupus that is inactive or under control 3 some research suggests smoking may increase the risk of getting lupus 1 webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated