Menstrual cycle and MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed more often in women than men, and the symptoms produced by a woman’s menstrual cycle can become confused for relapses.

In this mini blog, we’ll talk more on just how MS can interfere with women’s reproductive cycle and some other areas of women’s health you should know about.

Can MS interact with your menstruation

Yes, multiple sclerosis and your menstruation cycle can affect one and other.

Plenty of MSers find that their MS symptoms can get worse around two to three days before a period begins. Despite this, these flare-ups tend to subside once the bleeding has begun and you should return to how you were once the period has finished. It’s also worth noting that relapses can become more likely to occur in these first few days too.

If you’re taking birth control contraceptives then it’s more likely that these additional hormones are already interfering with your usual menstrual cycle. As a result, it’s likely that you won’t have noticed your MS has made much of a difference.

What about the menopause and MS

Symptoms such as reduced sex drive and even hot flushes can be confused for multiple sclerosis and vice versa. Just like how warmer weather can make symptoms worse, so too can hot flushes which can make problems associated with MS worse (even just a one degree increase in body temp is enough).

It would definitely be worth getting in touch with your GP if you think that one could be interfering with the other.

More about women’s health and MS

There are plenty of other elements of women’s health that MS can interact with that is well worth reading up on. Take a look at our listed resources below if you’d like to find out more.