Multiple sclerosis (MS)is an unpredictable disease that affects everyone differently.
While anyone can be diagnosed with MS, it is more prevalent in females than in males.
This is referred to asclinically isolated syndrome(CIS).
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Not everyone who experiences CIS will be diagnosed with MS. ## Tingling and Numbness
Numbness and tinglingare often one of the first signs of MS a person experiences.
You may feel like your limbs are asleep with a tingling/pins and needles sensation.
This occurs because MS affects the protective coating on nerves in the brain and spinal cord (demyelination).
This can cause numbness in the arms, legs, face, and fingers.
It can be resulting from nerve damage, or come as a result of other MS symptoms.
Involuntary muscle spasms and stiffness are common causes of MS-related pain.
You may also feel painful sensations throughout your arms, legs, feet, and neck.
MS-related fatigue is a feeling of overwhelming exhaustion that can be hard to shake.
People with MS may experience intermittent fatigue, recurrent fatigue, or chronic fatigue.
Balance Problems and Dizziness
Problems with balance and dizziness are common in MS.
Many people with MS report feeling dizzy, particularly after standing up.
Cognitive Problems
Many people with MS experience problems with memory and thinking (cognitive problems).
Experiencing depression and/or anxiety is also common.
Sexual Dysfunction
Changes in sexual function (arousal, orgasms) are common.
Sexual dysfunction may also be a result of weakness, fatigue, or muscle spasms.
Emotional symptoms can also have an impact on sexual desire.
The stresses of the disease can cause mood swings, irritability, and persistent sadness.
Less Common MS Symptoms
MS symptoms can vary from person to person.
You may also experience different symptoms during relapses, or have certain symptoms that come and go.
Instead, they are complications that may occur due to the primary symptoms of the disease.
If you do develop secondary symptoms, they are generally treatable.
If you have irregular cycles, MS may be the cause.
Research shows that an MS diagnosis is linked to irregular periods in some people.
Research shows that MS relapses decreased during pregnancy and increased back up to pre-pregnancy rates by three months postpartum.
During menopause, estrogen levels drop dramatically.
They can run bloodwork to check your estrogen levels and determine if you are in menopause or post-menopause.
As a result of these changes, MS is associated with brain atrophy and long-term disability.
Diagnosing MS
There is no single test to diagnose MS.
If you have symptoms of MS, talk to your healthcare provider.
They will give you a physical examination, neurological examination, and ask about your medical history.
They may also order tests to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Tests and Procedures
Doctors use different tests to confirm a diagnosis of MS.
Early signs and symptoms of MS include vision problems, trouble walking, and numbness/tingling in the limbs.
Treatments such as medications can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce symptoms.
Males also experience faster disease progression and neurodegeneration.
Late-onset MS can affect people aged 50 and older.
MS generally starts with a vague symptom that goes away within a few days or weeks.
Symptoms may appear suddenly and disappear after the first episode/attack.
An attack is when MS symptoms suddenly show up.
to be diagnosed with MS, you must have had two attacks at least one month apart.
Sex hormones may play a role in why females develop the disease more often.
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