The Gender Divide: Why Multiple Sclerosis Is More Common In Women Than Men

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating, neurological condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibres. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. While it affects people of all sexes, evidence consistently shows that women are significantly more prone to MS than men.

Why Women Are More At Risk

The risk disparity is stark: women, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, face nearly twice the risk of developing MS compared to men. According to Dr Pramod Krishnan, Head of Department and Senior Consultant in Neurology at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, this higher vulnerability is largely driven by hormonal factors linked to estrogen and progesterone.

"Hormones like estrogen are thought to play a significant role in why MS is more common in women. Research is ongoing, but it's believed that these hormones affect inflammation and the disease process, " Dr Krishnan notes, adding, "Other factors, such as sex chromosomes, geography and lifestyle choices like smoking, and vitamin D levels, also interact to increase a woman's risk."

Furthermore, there is a link between obesity, inflammation, and the increased incidence of MS in women, especially concerning inflammation caused by belly. "Women typically have more body fat than men, and with obesity rates being higher in women, this difference may contribute to a higher risk of MS for women," Dr Krishnan adds.

This increased risk coincides with a crucial life stage, as young women living with MS often express concern about how the disease might affect their ability to experience motherhood—from pregnancy to raising a child.

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Hidden Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis

A major issue complicating the MS journey is that the condition often "hides in plain sight," as noted by Dr Sruthi S Nair, Professor in the Department of Neurology at Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum.

The early signs of MS, such as fatigue, numbness, or blurred vision, are often subtle and easily mistaken for common issues like stress or a demanding lifestyle. Dr Krishnan highlights that these symptoms are frequently dismissed as routine weakness, which leads to critical delays in diagnosis. This is especially problematic because brain damage from MS can begin years before visible symptoms appear, underscoring why awareness is so critical.

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Timely Treatment and Personalised Care

Despite the challenges of diagnosis, timely identification is key to better outcomes. Dr Nair emphasises that the sooner MS is identified, the better the treatment results.

The good news for those diagnosed is the availability of effective treatments. "We now have high efficacy therapies that can significantly slow disease progression and preserve quality of life," says Dr Nair.

Dr Nair further notes that treatments include disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like interferon-beta or natalizumab to slow the disease, and short-term corticosteroids to treat relapse.

Additionally, symptom-specific treatments like muscle relaxants for spasticity and therapies to manage fatigue, pain, and bladder or mobility issues are used. In some cases, a stem cell transplant can be used to reset the immune system and stop it from attacking the central nervous system.

Dr Krishnan adds that with early diagnosis, personalised care, and the timely use of these high-efficacy treatments, women can be supported to "not just manage MS, but continue to live full, independent, and joyful lives."

Ultimately, MS no longer has to define a person's future. With prompt action and compassion, hope truly lies ahead, transforming MS from a feared diagnosis into a manageable condition.

Image courtesy: Freepik

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