Lipedema is a chronic condition that causes serious health problems and immense social and emotional suffering for millions of women in Germany. But how does lipedema come about? In this blog post, we at med-plast would like to inform you about whether lipedema is hereditary.
Causes of lipedema
So far, scientists are not yet definitively clear about how lipedema occurs. Since the fat distribution disorder mainly occurs in women, it is assumed that there is a connection with female hormones. Especially after a hormonal change such as puberty or pregnancy, lipedema can occur in women. However, it is also assumed that genetic predisposition plays a role in addition to hormonal changes.
Is lipedema hereditary?
The predisposition to develop lipedema is probably hereditary. If you know that your parents or grandparents have lipedema, you should always tell your doctor. This may have an influence on the lipedema diagnosis.
The role of lipedema heredity
If you suspect you have lipedema, your treating physician may ask you if there is a history of lipedema in your family. This is because the predisposition to lipedema may be hereditary. However, the exact role of lipedema heredity has not yet been conclusively clarified. The following therefore refers to the current scientific assumptions.
A genetic view of lipedema
For a genetic view of lipedema, let’s take a digression into genetics. Scientists suspect that the predisposition to get lipedema is an autosomal dominant inheritance. This lipedema inheritance can usually only occur in women.
Does lipedema have to be inherited?
The predisposition to lipedema can be hereditary, but it does not have to be. If you have lipedema, this does not automatically mean that lipedema will be passed on to your children. It is also possible that you will pass on the predisposition to lipedema to your children, but that the disease will never break out. However, if symptoms appear in your children, there is an increased probability, especially in women, that the predisposition to lipedema has been inherited here.
How do I know if my children have a predisposition to lipedema?
If you are concerned that your daughter may also have lipedema, pay particular attention to changes in the body during hormonal changes. If your child has stocky legs after puberty with an otherwise rather slim body and a healthy diet, this can be a first sign of lipedema. If additional pain occurs in the legs, you should consult a doctor who specializes in lipedema.
If you think you have lipedema or suspect lipedema in your children, feel free to contact our med-plast team. Our specialized lipedema doctors will be happy to advise you in detail about the treatment options at our Lipedema Clinic Berlin. Make an appointment now.
