Selena Gomez’s Heartfelt Revelation: Why Motherhood May Not Be in Her Future

Gomez has been transparent about her health struggles in the past, including her battle with lupus, which led to a kidney transplant in 2017. She has also shared her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful about becoming a mother and is considering surrogacy and adoption as potential paths. “It’s not necessarily how I envisioned it, but I’m excited for what that journey will look like. At the end of the day, it’ll be my baby,” she said.

Professionally, Gomez continues to thrive. She stars in the hit series Only Murders in the Building, where her portrayal of Mabel Mora has drawn significant praise. She was also recently seen in the French musical crime comedy Emilia Perez, further showcasing her acting range.

What is lupus and it’s relationship to fertility?

Lupus, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage in areas like the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Lupus can vary widely in its severity, and its symptoms can flare up and subside over time.

Lupus can impact fertility, though many women with lupus are able to conceive and have healthy pregnancies. The relationship between lupus and fertility is complex and can be influenced by several factors:

Disease Activity: Women with well-controlled lupus have a better chance of a successful pregnancy. However, active lupus, especially involving the kidneys (lupus nephritis), can complicate fertility and pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.
Medications: Some lupus treatments, such as cyclophosphamide (a chemotherapy drug used to control severe lupus), can lead to temporary or permanent infertility by affecting ovarian function. However, newer medications like azathioprine or hydroxychloroquine are generally safer for those trying to conceive.
Complications During Pregnancy: Women with lupus may have a higher risk of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and blood clotting disorders (due to lupus-related antiphospholipid syndrome). These risks may affect the ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Lupus Flares During Pregnancy: Although many women with lupus experience stable disease during pregnancy, some may have flares, which can complicate both fertility and pregnancy outcomes. It’s recommended that women with lupus wait to conceive until their disease has been well-controlled for at least six months.

Fertility Preservation:

For women with lupus who are concerned about their ability to conceive due to the disease or its treatments, fertility preservation techniques like egg freezing or embryo freezing can be explored before starting aggressive treatments that may harm fertility. Surrogacy and adoption are also options for those unable to carry a pregnancy.

Lupus requires careful medical management during pregnancy, but with close monitoring and proper treatment, many women with lupus can successfully have children.