Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women

Multiple sclerosis (MS) a disease that people get that affects the spinal cord and various areas of the brain. When someone has MS the transmission of electrical signals from the brain to the nerve cells gets interrupted and confused. MS is not a contagious disease and you can not get it by coming into contact with someone who has it. This disease commonly causes neurological disability in young adults and it affects women more than men.

Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women and in men are fatigue, tingling of extremities, loss of balance, the inability to control the movement of the eyes, double vision, partial blindness and dim vision to name a few.

Recent research has shown that women are now out numbering men who come down with the disease. In fact 4 out of 5 newly diagnosed cases of MS are women. There is no clear reason that has been discovered yet as to why more women get MS than men. Researches do believe that the disease is caused by the immune system attacking the myelin sheath around nerve fibers and the body’s abnormal response to it. As of the last report by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society there are nearly 400,000 people in America that have MS.

It is thought that symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women may be worse than in men due to the fact that there has been an increase in women who now smoke and take oral contraceptives. This is because the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women have been linked with the sex hormones which may play a role in suppressing the immune system. Women with MS generally have fewer symptoms of the disease when they are pregnant. Soon after giving birth however, the symptoms typically return in women who have been diagnosed with MS. This has led to the conclusion that hormones may play an important role in the cause of MS. Although sex hormones are suspected to be a major contributing factor when it comes to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women, it has not been proven to be the only factor that affects symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in women.

One area that the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women seem to affect more than men is the area of sexual intercourse. Women with MS often report a loss of the ability to achieve and orgasm and experience a reduced level of lubrication during intercourse. Women who have MS suffer periods of depression that is caused by the physical changes in the brain due to MS. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women also lead to them having trouble concentrating. Women become more emotionally upset over having this illness also and have great difficulty learning how to cope with this disease.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women can vary and can depend on where the site of inflammation is. Attacks of MS can happen at different times and the site of inflammation will determine if there is an affect on the motor function, loss of vision, muscle spasms, pain, loss of balance, or bladder and bowel incontinence, etc. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women can manifest as total body numbness as well.

Symptoms of MS in women can last up to 24 hours and may also be triggered by fevers or physical exertion or any other factor that causes the body temperature to rise. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women will typically last until the body temperature is brought back down to normal in these cases. Women who have MS may also experience slurred speech and difficulty in understanding speech they hear from others during an attack.

Since the symptoms of MS in women are so varied, women should go to their doctor for testing and consultation if they suspect that they have MS for a proper diagnosis.

Last updated on Jan 29th, 2010 and filed under Women's Health. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

3 Responses for “Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women”

  1. There are a lot of symptoms, some more disabling than others, that’s true. However, it has been proven that with medication, proper diet an an exercise routine, MS patients can live almost normal lives, and prevent a rapid progression of the disease.

    There are also a number of therapies, today CCSVI and Stem Cell that are showing great results in the soothing of symptoms, and even in reversing Multiple Sclerosis damage.

  2. Jeanette Rosenberger says:

    I have been diagnosed with MS and I am now taking Copaxone injections once a day 7 days a week and my
    doctor now tells me he wants to start me on an IV drip once a month. What are your thoughts? Can you please reply?

    Thank You
    Jeanette

    • Sherri says:

      I am on a monthly course of the iv steroids for one day as well as ivig once a month
      They are supposed to help and I am sure that u will do fine if that is what
      Your dr is suggesting to you. I myself had taken copaxone a long time ago
      We discovered I was allergic to it. I hear it is a very good therapy and I wish u
      All the best

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