Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered an autoimmune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system. The disease affects women more often than men.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, women may be up to three times more likely than men to get MS. The disease can also cause symptoms specific to women. But women and men share most of the same symptoms of MS.
The MS symptoms that primarily affect women seem to relate to hormone levels.
Some researchers think that having lower levels of testosterone may play a role. Others think fluctuations in female hormones may be a factor.
More research is needed to determine the true causes of these symptom differences.
The main symptoms that affect women more than men include menstrual problems, pregnancy-related symptoms, and menopause issues.
Menstrual problems
Research has shown that some women have increased MS symptoms during their periods. That may be because of a drop in estrogen levels during that time.
Symptoms that worsened for study participants included weakness, imbalance, depression, and fatigue.
Pregnancy-related symptoms
Some good news for women with MS: Research has found that MS has no effect on fertility. That means that MS won’t keep you from getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy child.
In even better news, for most women, MS symptoms actually stabilize or improve during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters. However, it’s common for them to return following delivery.
Menopause
Some research has found that in some women, MS symptoms get worse after menopause. As with menstrual symptoms, this may be due to a drop in estrogen levels caused by menopause.
Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps ease these symptoms for postmenopausal women.
However, HRT has also been linked with increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. If you have questions about whether HRT might be helpful for you in managing your MS symptoms after menopause, talk to your doctor.
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In general, MS symptoms are the same for both women and men. But the symptoms vary for everyone depending on the location and severity of nerve damage caused by inflammation.
Some of the most common MS symptoms are listed below.
Muscle symptoms – click here to continue reading
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