Early Signs of MS
Around 1 million people in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease that can affect your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves behind your eyes. It’s most often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 40, but can occur in young children and older adults as well.
MS causes your immune system to attack myelin, a fatty substance wrapped around your nerves.
Although there is no known cure for MS, there are effective treatments that can reduce the risk of attacks and slow the course of the disease. With early detection and treatment, you may be able to help slow its progression. “It’s important to get treatment [as soon as possible] to prevent longer-term damage to your nervous system,” says Michael Levy, MD, PhD, a Mass General Brigham neuroimmunologist.
If you're concerned about MS, you may be wondering what to look for and when to seek care. Dr. Levy discusses the early signs of MS to watch for in women and in men.
What causes MS?
“Unfortunately, as of right now, we don’t know exactly what causes MS," says Dr. Levy. "There are many factors that make someone at higher risk for developing it, such as smoking, certain infections, and vitamin D deficiency. Autoimmune disorders can affect your MS, too.”
People often wonder if MS is passed down through families. While the disease is not directly inherited—meaning it’s not passed down from one generation to the next—there is a genetic risk for MS that is inherited. So, if you have a family history of MS, it’s a good idea to pay attention to changes in your body and mind that might be early signs of the disease.
What are the early symptoms of MS?
MS can cause a wide range of symptoms, the most common of which include:
Trouble walking
Feeling tired
Muscle weakness, spasms, and tremors
Blurred or double vision
Numbness and tingling
Sexual problems
- Oral health problems, including MS tongue, swallowing problems, and dry mouth
Poor bladder or bowel control
Pain
Problems focusing or remembering
Vision problems
For many, vision problems are one of the first symptoms of MS. Specifically, people living with MS may experience inflammation of the optic nerve (the nerve responsible for vision). This can lead to blurred or double vision, among other things.
Because cataracts can also create cloudy vision or double vision, people often wonder: Are cataracts an early sign of MS? This does not appear to be the case.
Dizziness and vertigo
Many people who are concerned about symptoms of MS wonder about dizziness and vertigo as well. Is vertigo an early sign of MS? It can be — but it isn’t necessarily, either. MS symptoms often vary from person to person, so while one person experiences vertigo, another may not.
Sex-specific symptoms of MS
Although people with MS can experience most of the same symptoms, there are a handful of sex-specific symptoms to be aware of. It’s important to know, however, that there are many other reasons people may be experiencing symptoms like those listed below. Dr. Levy explains, “Even though people with MS may experience these symptoms, they are most often caused by something other than MS.”
Early signs of MS in women
Both women and men can be diagnosed with MS. However, the condition is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). In fact, studies show that women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men.
Symptoms specific to women can include:
Vaginal dryness
Sexual dysfunction
Amenorrhea — the absence of a period
Women diagnosed with MS who are menstruating may experience an increase in their symptoms, such as depression, fatigue, and weakness.
Menopause can also have an impact on women with MS. Research has found that some women report a worsening of MS symptoms after menopause. But others note that menopause reduced their rate of relapse.
Women living with MS who are hoping to become pregnant worry about the impacts of the condition on their future. While it’s important to speak with your provider about living with MS while pregnant, there is hope. Patients can get pregnant and raise families.
Early signs of MS in men
MS symptoms specific to men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) may include:
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased libido
Anorgasmia — orgasms that become absent, less frequent, less intense, or delayed
Men living with MS are more likely than women to experience:
A loss of coordination
Poor balance
Cognitive impairments such as problems with memory, learning, concentration, or decision-making
Are MS and Parkinson’s disease related?
While there are some similarities in symptoms, there are many differences between MS and Parkinson’s disease, too.
“Both conditions can cause tremors,” says Dr. Levy. “But these distinct diseases have different causes, diagnostic tests, and treatments.”
Is there a cure for MS?
“There are many effective medications available to reduce the risks of attacks and slow the course of MS,” says Dr. Levy. “Most of these medications are well tolerated in the long term and allow you to return to your previous lifestyle. There are also strategies to ease your symptoms and help you manage the stress and physical pain that can come with the condition.”
Patients with MS can consult specialists who can help them manage their symptoms and prevent inflammatory relapse. To manage MS:
Get adequate sun exposure and take a vitamin D supplement in the winter.
Eat healthy foods.
Stay active.
Reduce stress.
While ongoing research is still searching for a cure for MS, patients can live happy and healthy lives, especially when they focus on treatment, symptom management, and prevention.
Advances in MS research
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are conducting innovative research and studies to learn more about MS and find better treatments. These include:
- Foralumab nasal spray treatment. Mass General Brigham researchers recently completed a phase 1 clinical trial of foralumab, which shows promise in reducing MS symptoms and improving the quality of life for those living with MS.
- Advanced imaging technology: Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital are using advanced scanners like the Connectome 2.0 and new MRI techniques to take detailed pictures of the brain. These images help them see how MS damages the brain and affects memory and movement. This could lead to better ways to treat MS.
- MRI study on axon damage: Mass General Brigham researchers are studying axon damage in MS, which can affect thinking and movement. Their research plays a key role in finding better ways to monitor and treat MS.
- Wearable device study: Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers are testing a smart insole that monitors MS symptoms, such as gait and balance, right at home. This device could help doctors detect changes in symptoms earlier.
- Precision medicine and biomarkers: Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are working on ways to better match MS treatments to each person. They are studying certain genes, proteins, and other markers in the body that could help doctors predict how the disease will progress and which treatments will work best. This research could help create more personalized care for people with MS.
With ongoing research and promising new treatments like foralumab, there is hope on the horizon for those living with multiple sclerosis.
