1.3 million women experience menopause each year. While this already takes a toll on the health and well-being of several women, a concerning link has emerged. A recent study by UC San Francisco has uncovered that menopause has a negative influence on several prodromal symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, thus catalysing its progression.
RELATED: Menopause Belly: Expert Explains Why Weight Gain Happens And How to Manage It
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that results in the degeneration of the nerves' outer sheath. Among the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, and changes in eyesight.
"It is characterised by the immune system inadvertently attacking the protective covering of nerve fibres called myelin," Dr. Mitalee Kar, Consultant Neurologist, CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar said in a conversation with the OnlyMyHealth team. In certain parts of the central nervous system, this causes inflammation, injury, and the development of scar tissue (sclerosis).
The protective myelin coating that surrounds nerve fibres is attacked by the immune system in multiple sclerosis. The brain and the rest of the body are unable to communicate as a result. The condition may eventually result in irreversible nerve fibre damage.
Symptoms Of MS
Common symptoms of MS include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Electric-shock sensations with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign).
- Lack of coordination.
- Trouble walking or inability to walk.
- Weakness.
- Partial or complete vision loss, usually in one eye, often with pain during eye movement.
- Double vision or blurry vision.
- Dizziness or vertigo (a false sense of motion).
- Problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder function.
- Fatigue.
- Slurred speech.
- Challenges with memory, thinking, and understanding.
- Mood changes.
What Links Menopause To MS?
According to a recent study by UC San Francisco researchers, menopause has a major negative influence on cognitive function, fine motor skills, and walking ability while also hastening the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The researchers discovered that following menopause, there was an increase in the blood biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL). This supports the MSFC findings and shows increasing nerve cell degeneration, which is a sign of progressive MS.
How Was The Study Conducted?
-1737009133516.jpg)
Using information from two UCSF studies that look into the aetiology and course of MS, EPIC and ORIGINS, the study tracked 184 women before and after menopause. Researchers used the MS Functional Composite (MSFC) to measure walking speed and other tasks during the participants' yearly evaluations, which lasted an average of 13 years.
The MS Functional Composite (MSFC), which measures walking speed in addition to other tasks, was employed in the current investigation. After controlling for age, weight, and tobacco use, they discovered that after menopause, participants needed more time to do a 25-foot walk. More minor deteriorations in cognition and dexterity were also discovered.
Does MS Affect Women More Than Men?
MS primarily affects women, and there is evidence that the course of the disease may be influenced by changes in sex-related hormones like oestrogen. Because oestrogen levels decrease during menopause, there is reason to believe that menopause may have an impact on the course of MS disease.
Menopause can exacerbate MS symptoms for some people. For some people, menopausal hot flashes can exacerbate or momentarily exacerbate heat sensitivity problems, which can make symptoms worse. Mood, sleep, exhaustion, cognition, or bladder function difficulties can all become more difficult throughout menopause.