Are you a woman with MS unsure of what the symptoms you’re experiencing could mean to your overall health and well-being?
It’s crucial to recognize that MS affects women in unique ways, particularly because hormonal changes and other factors can intensify certain symptoms. Many women may not link their experiences — such as fatigue, brain fog, or fluctuations during their menstrual cycle — with MS. The good news is that there are numerous strategies and support systems available to help you navigate these challenges.
Let’s dive into the common symptoms of MS in women and talk about how to tackle them effectively.
While this fact may seem unlikely to believe, it’s true – women are much more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that women are three times more likely to have MS than men, and the number of women developing the condition continues to rise. But why?
Unfortunately, the exact reasons why MS develops, especially in women, aren’t fully understood. However, there are several factors that seem to play a role:
While it can feel overwhelming to understand and manage MS symptoms, especially given the complexities around why women are more affected, it's important to know that control is possible. With the right treatment plan and mindset, you can be in the driver’s seat of your body.
Early detection and understanding your body's unique responses are key to staying in control of your health. So, let’s break down what to watch for when it comes to MS symptoms in women.
While men and women share many MS symptoms, hormonal changes, and other gender-specific factors can make certain symptoms stand out or feel more challenging for women. Let’s dive into some of the key symptoms and how they might affect women differently.
What It Feels Like: Fatigue from MS can be overwhelming in both men and women. Unlike the normal tiredness you might feel after a long day, MS-related fatigue can feel like you've hit a wall — even after a full night’s sleep. Simple tasks like showering or dressing can become daunting.
Why It’s Different: MS-related fatigue happens because the disease disrupts communication between the brain and body. This makes normal activities require more energy than usual. In women, fatigue can also worsen during menstruation due to hormonal changes and changes in core temperature.
To learn more about MS-related fatigue and how to tackle its symptoms, read my post: What Is MS Fatigue? | 5 Ideas To Feel Like Yourself
What It Feels Like: This is one of the most common symptoms of MS. You might experience "pins and needles" or a numb feeling, similar to when a limb falls asleep. This sensation is most common in the face, arms, legs, feet, or butt and can either come and go or stick around for a while.
Why It Happens: MS damages nerves that carry signals from your brain to the rest of your body, causing abnormal sensations like numbness or tingling. This may become worse during pregnancy or menopause, times when hormones are shifting. Listen to your body, and if you feel frequent numbness or tingling, do not brush it off.
Early Signs: Blurred vision, double vision, or even a loss of vision (often in one eye) can be some of the first signs of MS. You may also experience pain when moving your eyes, a condition known as optic neuritis.
What’s Going On: The nerves responsible for vision can become inflamed due to MS. While vision issues can be temporary, they may become permanent in some cases. This symptom can be an early red flag, particularly for women as it may be exacerbated by estrogen changes. For this particular symptom, I recommend talking to your eye doctor or a neuro-opthamologist.
What It Feels Like: Many women with MS find that their symptoms get worse in hot weather or after physical activity. Even a warm bath can intensify fatigue, muscle weakness, or cognitive issues, making it feel impossible to cool down or find relief.
Why It Happens: Rising body temperature, even as little as ½ of a degree, slows down already damaged nerve signals, which makes symptoms more pronounced. Hormonal changes can also increase sensitivity to these temperature fluctuations, making heat intolerance more challenging for women with MS.
While feeling like your body cannot cool down is extremely frustrating, there are so many things that can help! Check out my post – MS Heat Intolerance: How To Actually Keep Your Body Cool – for solutions that work.
What It Feels Like: Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs, can make tasks like walking or lifting objects difficult. Muscle spasms or stiffness are also common, often occurring without warning.
Why It Happens: MS interferes with nerve signals that control muscle movement, leading to weakness or spasms. Hormonal shifts during menstruation or menopause can aggravate these symptoms in women. While weakness can feel scary, remember you are in control, trust your body, and communicate with your neurologist and physical therapist.
What It Looks Like: Forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, difficulty finding words, or feeling mentally foggy (brain fog) — these cognitive changes are common in MS. They can range from mild issues, like losing your train of thought, to more significant problems with decision-making.
Why It’s Overlooked: Cognitive issues are often mistaken for stress or aging, and women, in particular, may brush them off as part of everyday life. However, these symptoms could be connected to MS, so it's important not to overlook them. If you're experiencing these challenges, talk to your doctor and make sure to advocate for yourself.
What It Feels Like: MS can cause frequent urges to urinate, difficulty emptying your bladder, or incontinence. Constipation is also a common problem for people with MS.
How Hormones Play a Role: Bladder and bowel issues may become worse around menstruation due to hormone fluctuations. Pregnancy and menopause can also cause shifts in these symptoms.
While often a taboo subject, this is so common in men and women! To learn more about MS bladder and bowel control check out these posts: MS Bladder Control and Bowel Symptoms In MS.
What It Feels Like: MS-related pain can vary. It may be sharp, burning, or feel like a tight band around your torso (often called the "MS hug"). This pain is caused by nerve damage and may worsen with heat or during hormonal changes.
What’s Happening: Unlike pain from an injury, MS-related pain is neuropathic, meaning it comes from misfiring nerves rather than tissue damage. Managing pain can be particularly tricky during pregnancy or menopause when hormones are in flux.
Pain relief is possible! To learn more about what causes MS pain and how to mitigate its effect, read my post – MS Pain Management: Effective Treatments, Tips, and Exercises
As an MS specialist, I often get questions from women about how Multiple Sclerosis uniquely affects their body. From fertility concerns to how hormonal changes impact symptoms, it’s important to understand how MS can influence various aspects of a woman’s life. Here are some of the most common questions I hear from my clients:
The good news is that MS does not directly affect fertility. Women with MS can still conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. However, symptoms like fatigue, pain, or bladder issues might make it more challenging to plan for pregnancy. Additionally, some MS medications may need to be adjusted if you're trying to conceive, so it’s essential to discuss your options with your neurologist.
Many women find that their MS symptoms fluctuate with their menstrual cycle, often worsening in the days before their period. This may be due to a drop in estrogen, a hormone that appears to have some protective effects against MS symptoms. Some women manage these changes with birth control or hormone therapies, but it’s important to consult your doctor before starting any treatment.
Noticing symptoms like vision problems, sudden weakness, or unexplained fatigue can feel scary, and many people (especially women) tend to brush them off at first. But it’s important to trust your body and listen to what it’s telling you. These could be early signs of MS, a relapse, or a pseudo-relapse, and catching the condition or relapse early can make a big difference in how effectively it’s managed. Generally speaking, if you’re experiencing a brand new symptom and it’s lasted over 24-48 hours, this is cause to reach out to your neurologist for guidance.
While the symptoms of MS are common across both men and women, hormonal changes and other factors make it especially important for women to understand what MS looks like. The most important thing is to trust your body and prioritize your health and well-being above all else. Don’t ignore what your symptoms are telling you—early detection and proactive care can make a huge difference. By focusing on your health, you can take control of your MS and find relief.
If you’re curious to learn more, my YouTube channel – Dr. Gretchen Hawley – is a page designed to help with all factors of Multiple Sclerosis. As a physical therapist and MS specialist, it’s my goal to provide you with exercises, strategies, and a community of MS warriors to help you find relief in all areas of your life.
Do you have any further questions on what symptoms of MS look like in women? Please feel free to DM me on Instagram @doctor.gretchen.
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Dr. Gretchen Hawley's The MSing Link offers a comprehensive guide to taking control of your MS symptoms and improving your mobility through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
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As a physical therapist & Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist, I have spent the last 10 years teaching people with MS how to feel more confident & empowered through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
If you want support and encouragement, plus a healthy dose of tough love, come follow me on Instagram (@doctor.gretchen) or on YouTube @DoctorGretchenHawley. It's where I share daily tips, tricks, and information about new offers — plus, you’re bound to feel more empowered, hopeful, & motivated after watching each post and video!
Questions? Email me at Hello@DoctorGretchenHawley.com