There have been a few studies on those men and women with MS and sex hormones. This post is going into depth on the topic of the research done with sex hormones in women (BIO-identical hormones are exactly same shape hormone as what your body produces. However, synthetic hormones are a slightly different molecular shape and therefore function). 

Before I give you a bunch of research that shows the effects of sex hormones on women I am going to try to give you a brief overview of hormones. 

First Men have DHEA- converts-> Testosterone and a little estrogen they also have progesterone. Both sexes need adequate Thyroid, Insulin, etc. Testosterone should be much higher than estrogens in healthy males 

Women have DHEA- converts-> to Testosterone -> estrogen & they also have progesterone. 

There are over 30 types of estrogen but primarily you hear about 3. More Testosterone is converted in the female and goes to estrone -converts-> estradiol (aka oestradiol) -> estriol (GOOD anticancer estrogen) 
Progesterone and estriol are very high in pregnancy…some MS women seem to do better during pregnancy which has led to some of the sex hormone studies on those with MS. 

If you are a female some of the symptoms of low progesterone are:
1.) heavy and or painful period
2.) swollen breasts before period
3.) anxious (low magnesium can contribute to both this low hormone and feelings)
4.) aggressive / irritable
5.) loss of hair on the head

symptoms of low estrogen are:
1.) wrinkles above the lip
2.) lose of hair on head and or more hair on face
3.) falling breasts
4.) Irregular periods
5.) dry eyes
6.) hot flashes

Symptoms of low testosterone are:
1.) Memory problems for men(could also be low B vitamins, low thyroid or poor circulation)
2.) fatigue (can also be low cortisol if at night, low thyroid if in morning or growth hormone if mild fatigue throughout day)
3.) muscle sagging or atrophy (low growth hormone affects this too)
4.) low libido
5.) belly fat (too much stress[cortisol] and insulin imbalances affect this too. Obviously too much food and too little exercise affects this too.)
6.) depression

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MS and sex hormones research – part 1

1.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19660660
“Both testosterone and estriol have been found to induce anti-inflammatory as well as neuroprotective effects. Findings from two recent pilot studies of transdermal testosterone in male MS patients and oral estriol in female MS patients are encouraging. In this paper, we review the preclinical and clinical evidence for sex hormone treatments in MS and discuss potential mechanisms of action.”

2.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22209870
Neuroprotective effects of estrogens and androgens in CNS inflammation and neurodegeneration.
“This protection includes, but is not limited to, prevention of clinical disease, reduction of CNS inflammation, protection against demyelination, and protection against axonal loss.”

3.) JAMA and Archives Journals (2007, May 14). Testosterone May Help Men With Multiple Sclerosis

I will list more research in a below reply. If you feel any of this may pertain to your health then print off the research. Then take it with you when you see an experienced Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy endocrinologist.


1.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15654051 
Sex hormones modulate brain damage in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence. 
RESULTS: 
Serum testosterone was significantly lower in women with MS than in controls. The lowest levels were found in women with a greater number of gadolinium enhancing lesions. A positive correlation was observed between testosterone concentrations and both tissue damage on MRI and clinical disability. In men, there was a positive correlation between oestradiol concentrations and brain damage. 
CONCLUSIONS:The hormone related modulation of pathological changes supports the hypothesis that sex hormones play a role in the inflammation, damage, and repair mechanisms typical of MS. 

2.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10071166 
Correlation between sex hormones & magnetic resonance imaging lesions in MS. 
“RESULTS: Patients with high estradiol and low progesterone levels had a significantly greater number of Gd enhancing lesions than those with low levels of both these hormones. Patients with a high estrogen to progesterone ratio had a significantly greater number of active MRI lesions than those with a low ratio. 
CONCLUSION: Estradiol and progesterone may influence disease activity in MS. If further studies confirm these results, it may be possible to develop therapy by altering levels of these hormones.” 

3.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22347156 
Progesterone synthesis in the nervous system: implications for myelination and myelin repair. 
“Progesterone (internasal spray) in the brain is derived from the steroidogenic endocrine glands or from local synthesis by neural cells. Stimulating the formation of endogenous progesterone is currently explored as an alternative strategy for neuroprotection, axonal regeneration, and myelin repair.” 

4.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17011666 
ProTECT: a randomized clinical trial of progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury. 

5.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18447940 
Improved outcomes from the administration of progesterone for patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. 

6.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15878598 
Steroid hormones in multiple sclerosis. 

—– Women and Testosterone: Positive effects on heart and insulin 
1.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20685832 
Low testosterone levels predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in women 
(2914 women in 4.5 year follow-up study) 
Eur J Endocrinol. 2010 Oct;163(4):699-708. Epub 2010 Aug 4. 

2.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20888520 
“CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone supplementation improves functional capacity, insulin resistance, and muscle strength in women with advanced CHF. Testosterone seems to be an effective and safe therapy for elderly women with CHF.”

If you think or feel that any of the information shown above, pertains to you, please contact your healthcare providers.

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