1. Study of the impact of multiple sclerosis on the reproductive life of Spanish women: An online survey.
- Author
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Perillan C, Coto A, Arguelles J, and Nuñez P
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Spain epidemiology, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Pregnancy, Middle Aged, Young Adult, Pregnancy Complications, Menopause physiology, Menarche physiology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Multiple Sclerosis physiopathology, Multiple Sclerosis epidemiology, Breast Feeding
- Abstract
Background: Women have a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) than men. The natural reproductive period from menarche to menopause corresponds to the period of active inflammatory disease in MS. Mothers and pregnant women with MS need information about how their disease may affect pregnancy and breastfeeding., Aim: The aim was to explore the reproductive factors in an MS-diagnosed population and to identify ways to support patients and their decision-making process., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, Web-based survey of women living with MS in Asturias (Spain) using a community-based participatory approach., Findings: Early menarche may predict the onset of MS. Pregnancy improves the general health of patients and reduces the number of relapses. Breastfeeding is often not practised and may cause concern in women. MS does not affect the age of menopause, but it can worsen symptoms. However, menopause does not increase the number of MS relapses., Conclusions: MS is increasingly diagnosed at an earlier age, which increases the number of women who become pregnant after being diagnosed with MS. The decrease in MS relapses during pregnancy and the increase during the postpartum period are consistent with previous reports. Women who choose to breastfeed are in the minority due to treatment incompatibility, although some currently used treatments are compatible with breastfeeding. However, there is a lack of information on this which should be investigated., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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