Hi MSbelle,

It is not uncommon for women with MS as well as those with other health problems to experience a temporary increase of MS symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations.

I was diagnosed when I was 24 years old. I was on birth control pills before/after diagnosis and until I had my first child 4 years later, went back on birth control pills until my second child 2 years later. After my second child I had a Tubal Ligation so there was no reason to use birth control pills.

I never noticed an increase to my MS symptoms on or off birth control in all those years. Just normal PMS stuff.

Fast forward to the last 8 , give or take, years. The older I have gotten the more my MS is affected by hormonal changes to the point I talked to my gyn about options. I went on continuous birth control pills that allowed my cycles to stop. Physically I felt great unfortunately, the BC pills caused depression and suicidal thoughts So, for me, I just deal with the temporary increase of symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations.