Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects twice as many women as it does men. As many as 2.5 million people in the world have been diagnosed with MS.
Symptoms of MS
People suffering from multiples sclerosis will typically have the following symptoms that often start in their 20s or 30s:
- blurred vision
- loss of muscle control in arms and legs
- balance or coordination difficulties
- sexual dysfunction
- mood changes/depression
- cognitive functioning difficulties
- bladder and bowel difficulties
- fatigue
If you have symptoms that are similar to these, be sure that you contact a physician for an appropriate diagnosis.
Factors that Increase the Risk of MS
There is no single known cause of MS that has been identified in each person. Researchers currently suspect that there may a host of possible causes or factors that may lead to MS, including:
- exposure to a virus or bacteria
- genetic links since children and siblings of people diagnosed with MS are at a higher risk or developing the disease
- geographical links - people living in the cooler climates of the globe for the first 15 years of life have double the risk of developing MS
Giving Birth Slows Progression of MS Symptoms
One positive note about MS with regard to pregnancy is that researchers are finding that giving birth may serve as a way to slow the progression of the disease. A study done in Belgium showed that women who had given birth to at least one child were 34% less likely to have MS progress to the point where they needed assistance in walking such as use of a cane, as compared to women who had not given birth.
Suppression of Immune System During Pregnancy May Slow MS Progression
Since the time of pregnancy tends to suppress the mother's immune system to prevent the mother's body from rejecting her baby, experts speculate that pregnancy and birth may serve a role in decreasing the autoimmune response of the body in these women with MS.
Estrogen During Pregnancy Can Help Slow MS Progression
It is also possible that increased production of estrogen during pregnancy can stimulate cells to make more myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds nerve fibers. MS causes the body to attack the myelin, thus causing the nerves to have more difficulty transmitting information to the brain. The result then is the loss of motor functioning such as the ability to walk, numbness, fatigue and blurred vision.
As a result, clinical trials are now underway that involve treating women with MS with estriol, a form of estrogen replacement.
Keep in mind that research on the effects of pregnancy on MS is still in early stages and experts caution that women should not get pregnant just to slow the progression of the disease since there are no guarantees. The good news for those suffering from MS is that there is more research and information being discovered all the time about this challenging autoimmune disease.
References:
O'Looney, P., Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry., November 24, 2009
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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