---
title: Do multiple sclerosis symptoms change at different times in the menstrual cycle?
description: It varies. In some women with MS, neurologic symptoms worsened during the 2 weeks before their period. In others, there was no change across the cycle. Some w
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/understanding-fluctuations-of-multiple-sclerosis-across-the-menstrual-cycle-2000/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Do multiple sclerosis symptoms change at different times in the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2000

# Do multiple sclerosis symptoms change at different times in the menstrual cycle?

It varies. In some women with MS, neurologic symptoms worsened during the 2 weeks before their period. In others, there was no change across the cycle. Some women also had PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

5 women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, not on hormone therapy or birth control pills

## What they did

5 women with relapsing-remitting MS who were not on hormone therapy or birth control pills tracked their symptoms daily, recorded their body temperature, and completed a PMS questionnaire for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.

## What they found

Researchers identified four different patterns when reviewing the temperature charts and questionnaires: one group had worsening MS symptoms during the 2 weeks before their period, another group had no cycle-related changes, one group had PMS symptoms, and one woman had chronic severe depression.

## What it means for you

MS symptoms may change with the menstrual cycle in some women but not others. This is a very small study (5 women) and identifies a tool that could help MS patients track how their condition relates to their cycle. Much larger studies are needed to understand this pattern.

5 women

Sample size

3 cycles

Duration of tracking

4 patterns

Different response types found

## About the study

Original title Understanding Fluctuations of Multiple Sclerosis across the Menstrual Cycle Authors Maria K. Houtchens, Ninel Z. Gregori, JOHN W. ROSE Journal International Journal of MS Care Year 2000 Study design Survey study What was tested None - observational study tracking symptoms across cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073-2.4.6](https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073-2.4.6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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

Study, 1976

Do mood and body changes happen at the same time in the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2023

How common is PMS among female nursing students and how does it affect their lives?

Survey study, 2012

Do women with PMS eat more food before their period?

Cohort study, 2010

How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages?

Randomised trial, 2026

Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗