A pilot study of the effect upon multiple sclerosis of the menopause, hormone replacement therapy and the menstrual cycle.

A questionnaire enquiring about changes in severity of symptoms of multiple sclerosis with the menstrual cycle, menopause and use of hormone replacement therapy was answered retrospectively by 11 premenopausal and 19 postmenopausal women. Eighty-two per cent of menopausal women reported an increase in severity premenstrually. Of the postmenopausal women 54% reported a worsening of symptoms with the menopause, and 75% of those who had tried hormone replacement therapy reported an improvement. The results of this pilot study indicate the need for further research to clarify the effects of the menopause and hormone replacement therapy upon multiple sclerosis.