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Women Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Why Is Multiple Sclerosis More Common in Women?

MS Symptoms in Women

How the Menstrual Cycle Affects MS

Female Fertility, Reproduction and MS

Menopause and MS

  • Perimenopause is the time leading up to and around the last years of having a period. The symptoms of MS and perimenopause may impact each other.For instance, many women have hot flashes during perimenopause. They may make your MS symptoms worse by raising your body temperature. This can affect your sleep, leading to more daytime symptoms such as fatigue and difficulty with cognition.Some symptoms are common to both perimenopause and MS. These include difficulties with:
    • Bladder function
    • Fatigue
    • Low sex drive (libido)
    • Mood (feeling blue, depressed, anxious or irritable)
    • Sleep
    • Trouble thinking clearly
    These symptoms can be improved. You can talk with your doctor about:
    • Hormone replacement therapy
    • Other medicines
    • Lifestyle changes
    Having more “overlap” symptoms during this time doesn't mean that your MS is getting worse. It may just mean that your hormones are changing and that you may need to see your MS doctor or OB-GYN more often to get support to better manage these symptoms.Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT, previously called Hormone Replacement Therapy, HRT) and MSMHT is a treatment used to help menopause symptoms. It replaces the hormone estrogen, which falls to low levels as you get close to menopause. It also contains the hormone progesterone in women who still have their uterus to protect it from the effects of estrogen.MHT can help improve quality of life by helping with:
    • Hot flashes
    • Bone health
    • Cholesterol
    • Sleep
    • Heart disease
    MHT is not for everyone. It may not be safe for women with:
    • Blood clots
    • Breast cancer, prior breast cancer, or other hormone-sensitive cancers
    • Ongoing smoking
    • Serious migraines
    If MHT is not a good choice for you, other options may help, such as:
    • Medicines like fezolinetant, antidepressants and gabapentin
    • Lifestyle changes
    Some researchers are studying whether MHT can protect the brain and slow down MS progression. But there's no strong proof yet. This is an area scientists are still exploring.

  • In the years after your last period, it is important to take care of your whole body. You should make sure you are up to date on all preventive health screening tests and make choices that support healthy aging.People with MS have a higher chance of having a condition that weakens the bones called osteoporosis. This increased likelihood may be due to people with MS:
    • Moving less due to issues with walking or balance
    • Having long-term inflammation
    • Using systemic steroids
    This risk increases in women after menopause. The usual age of screening is age 65 but can be any time after menopause in women at risk, such as women with MS. It's important to check your bone health, fall risk and vision with your doctor regularly. Always talk to your MS doctor if your symptoms change.

Samantha (left), diagnosed in 2011
Managing the Transition

Here’s what to know about menopause and how it affects your MS.

Healthy Habits for People Living With MS

Support for Women Living With MS

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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is proud to be a source of information on multiple sclerosis related topics. Unless otherwise indicated, the information provided is based on professional advice, published experience and expert opinion. However, the information does not constitute medical or legal advice. For specific medical advice, consult a qualified physician. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.