Survey study, 2000
Do multiple sclerosis symptoms change at different times in the menstrual cycle?
It varies. In some women with MS, neurologic symptoms worsened during the 2 weeks before their period. In others, there was no change across the cycle. Some women also had PMS symptoms.
What they did
5 women with relapsing-remitting MS who were not on hormone therapy or birth control pills tracked their symptoms daily, recorded their body temperature, and completed a PMS questionnaire for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.
What they found
Researchers identified four different patterns when reviewing the temperature charts and questionnaires: one group had worsening MS symptoms during the 2 weeks before their period, another group had no cycle-related changes, one group had PMS symptoms, and one woman had chronic severe depression.
What it means for you
MS symptoms may change with the menstrual cycle in some women but not others. This is a very small study (5 women) and identifies a tool that could help MS patients track how their condition relates to their cycle. Much larger studies are needed to understand this pattern.
5 women
Sample size
3 cycles
Duration of tracking
4 patterns
Different response types found
About the study
- Original title
- Understanding Fluctuations of Multiple Sclerosis across the Menstrual Cycle
- Authors
- Maria K. Houtchens, Ninel Z. Gregori, JOHN W. ROSE
- Journal
- International Journal of MS Care
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - observational study tracking symptoms across cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073-2.4.6
Topics
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