If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), you might notice that your symptoms come and go. That’s because MS is unpredictable and affects everyone differently. But you can learn to manage your symptoms by getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and using medicines and physical or occupational therapy.
You can also get help from other people with MS or from support groups. And don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you have concerns. It may take time to get a diagnosis, but don’t give up if your first doctor doesn’t find the answer you want. You can ask to see another doctor who specializes in brain and spinal cord disorders, called a neurologist.
It isn’t known what causes MS, but it’s likely an autoimmune disease, where your immune system attacks the sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in your central nervous system. This damage leads to symptoms like trouble seeing, writing or walking. It can also cause problems with thinking and bowel and bladder function. There are medicines to slow down the disease’s progression and treat its symptoms, such as glatiramer (Copaxone, Glatopa) and cladribine (Mavenclad).
MS affects women more than men, but why isn’t fully understood. Some researchers think it might be because women develop the relapsing-remitting form of MS more often, and this type tends to worsen in periods when hormone levels change, such as during puberty and menopause. However, it’s also true that men and women who get the primary progressive form of MS, in which symptoms steadily worsen from the onset of the disease, have the same rate of disability development.
For some people, MS symptoms seem to get worse during menstruation or at the time of pregnancy. This is because a woman’s hormone levels are changing, and the overlap between MS symptoms and the symptoms of hormonal changes means that it’s hard to tell which ones are caused by MS.
Women with MS also seem to have more issues related to reproductive health, such as difficulty conceiving and miscarriage. But, as with relapses, there is some evidence that MS-related fertility problems can improve after the baby is born, as the body’s hormone levels return to their normal level.
You should also know that your reproductive rights are protected by federal and state laws. It isn’t illegal for a woman with MS to have a child without the help of a surrogate, but you should discuss this with your doctor and consider whether it is right for you. It is possible to get pregnant even if you have MS, but it’s best to wait until you’re no longer taking any MS medicines. If you do have MS, you should make sure to get regular blood tests and check in with your doctor regularly. This will help you monitor the effectiveness of your MS medicines and ensure you’re not at risk for complications during pregnancy or birth. If you do have MS, you should also plan ahead for when you want to have children, such as by taking a pill to prevent ovulation or by having your partner use a condom.
