--- title: Does multiple sclerosis get worse before your period? | Niyora description: Yes. Both cognitive function and physical ability appear to worsen in the premenstrual phase compared to ovulation in people with MS, more so than in healthy url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-hormonal-changes-on-the-neurological-status-in-the-menstrual-cycle-of-2019/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does multiple sclerosis get worse before your period? Case-control study, 2019 # Does multiple sclerosis get worse before your period? Yes. Both cognitive function and physical ability appear to worsen in the premenstrual phase compared to ovulation in people with MS, more so than in healthy people. Moderate study design 44 people with MS and 14 healthy controls ## What they did Case-control study of 44 people with MS and 14 healthy controls. Over two consecutive menstrual cycles, they measured cognitive and physical function during the premenstrual phase and ovulation phase, and measured sex hormone levels. ## What they found People with MS performed worse than healthy controls in all measurements. Both groups showed worse cognition in the premenstrual phase than at ovulation, which was more obvious in the MS group. People with MS treated with immunomodulatory agents had better cognitive function than those not treated. ## What it means for you Cognitive and physical function appear to worsen before the period in people with MS. Main limitation: only two menstrual cycles tested in a small sample. 44 People with MS 14 Healthy controls 2 Menstrual cycles studied ## About the study Original title Effect of hormonal changes on the neurological status in the menstrual cycle of patient with multiple sclerosis Authors Guven Yorgun Y, Ozakbas S Journal Clinical neurology and neurosurgery Year 2019 Study design Case-control study Participants 44 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.105499](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.105499) ## Topics [Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2024 Does estradiol prevent thinking problems before the period in women with suicidal thoughts? Study, 2025 Do ADHD symptoms get worse in the week before your period? Cohort study, 2024 Does the tendency to ruminate make PMS mood swings worse? Randomised trial, 2022 Do hormone pills prevent suicidal thoughts from getting worse around menstruation? Study, 2012 Does anxiety sensitivity affect panic symptoms differently at different menstrual cycle phases? Case-control study, 2012 Do women with PMDD have working memory problems linked to concentration and irritability? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗