Lupus is less common in males than it is in females. A 2019 study estimated that only about 1 in 10 people who have lupus are male.
Overall, lupus symptoms are similar between males and females. A 2016 study found no difference in lupus disease characteristics between the sexes, except for hair loss being more obvious in females. However, they did find that males with lupus had higher disease activity at diagnosis.
The severity of the condition may also differ between sexes. Males may have more severe disease than females, including kidney disease and pleuritis.