With celebrities like Christina Applegate, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Selma Blair opening up about their battles with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s normal to wonder what the early symptoms of MS in women are—especially since they can be easy to write off as something else. Here, experts break down everything you need to know about common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, when to see a doctor and how to make managing the condition easier.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurologic disorder affecting young adults between the ages of 20 to 40. “It’s an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune response is dysregulated, causing the immune system to attack the body’s own nerve tissues in the central nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain,” says Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, physician and cofounder at Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists.
Depending on the severity, MS can inflame tissues in the body and damage nerves, with the potential for long-term nervous system dysfunction and neurological decline, adds Dr. Pontinen. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but experts believe that a family history of the condition and environmental factors (such as exposure to Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis) may play a role.
Symptoms of MS in women
Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men, according to Mary Ann Picone, MD, medical director at Holy Name Medical Center. Symptoms of MS can vary depending on the location of the demyelinating lesions, or damage to the protective cover around nerve cells, says Dr. Picone. She notes that some of the most common symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling in an extremity
- Trouble balancing
- Falling
- Fatigue
- Short-term memory problems
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Vision problems such as double vision or vision loss
A sneaky symptom of MS that women often overlook? Urinary urgency and overactive bladder. These tend to occur because MS lesions block or delay nerve signals that control the bladder. Dr. Picone notes this is especially common if you’re prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs).
If you experience any of the above symptoms, don’t panic. Most of the time they can be attributed to more benign health issues, like stress or a reaction to a prescription medication. In people with MS, these symptoms tend to be present for at least 24 hours and can last several days or weeks, Dr. Picone says.
The symptoms of MS in women may differ than men
While the common symptoms above tend to affect both women and men, there are some differences worth noting. ”During pregnancy, [women’s] MS symptoms are often improved,” Dr. Picone says. “But there is an increased risk of flare-ups in the postpartum period.”
And Dr. Pontinen adds that ”women generally experience slower progression of the disease than men, and men experience worse cognitive and neurodegenerative effects from MS, possibly due to increased estrogen’s neuroprotective capabilities in women,” he says.
How MS is diagnosed
Dr. Pontinen recommends keeping a log of symptoms you suspect might correlate with MS, or any other mysterious symptoms so that you have data and documentation you can share with your doctor or neurologist. “This can help track how symptoms evolve and, if you do end up diagnosed with MS, provides a better context for treatment strategy,” he says.
“Examples of tests involved in MS diagnosis include MRIs of the brain and spine, a spinal tap, blood tests and tests that measure electronic signals in the nervous system called evoked potentials,” adds Dr. Pontinen. Your doctor will also want to rule out other neurological diseases such as Lyme disease or lupus.
Dr. Picone points out that no single test will fully diagnose MS. “It is a combination of both clinical findings and MRI findings and ensuring that there is no better reason to explain the symptoms,” she explains..
How to manage MS symptoms
While there currently is no cure for MS, there are many effective therapies and ways to manage symptoms to help slow down the progression of the disease, explains Dr. Picone. “There are Disease-Modifying Therapies, frequently known as DMTs, to decrease relapses and slow progression, which can range from injections to oral treatments to intravenous infusions administered twice yearly,” she says.
Symptom management is also essential; these treatments don’t help with the fatigue, muscle pain and stiffness that people with MS may experience. To alleviate discomfort, Dr. Picone recommends medication or physical or occupational therapy. She notes that maintaining good overall health is vital in addition to early diagnosis and treatment. “Smoking cessation, regular exercise and sleep, maintaining a healthy body weight and following a Mediterranean-style diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables also help improve overall immune health.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
