Does numbness during periods indicate multiple sclerosis?

Question

Hello doctor,

My sister is 31 years old and has been experiencing numbness in her hands and legs that comes and goes, especially during her menstrual cycle. She has also noticed that her vision becomes blurry around the time of her period. Her gynecologist mentioned that hormonal changes can sometimes trigger autoimmune symptoms. Could her irregular periods and these neurological symptoms be connected to nerve issues? She is trying to conceive, so we are also wondering whether multiple sclerosis medications are safe during pregnancy and whether the condition itself could affect her ability to get pregnant.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It is quite possible that her irregular periods and neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling, blurry vision) are linked, and hormones may be playing a role.

Some key points:

Your sister’s symptoms of numbness in her hands and legs, along with blurred vision, especially around her menstrual cycle, may indicate a neurological condition influenced by hormonal changes.
Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can sometimes worsen autoimmune or nerve-related disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). While irregular periods themselves may not directly cause nerve symptoms, they could reflect underlying hormonal imbalances that trigger or aggravate neurological issues.
Since she is trying to conceive, it is important to know that many women with MS can have successful pregnancies, though some disease-modifying medications are unsafe during pregnancy and must be adjusted beforehand. A neurologist’s evaluation with MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) and lab tests is essential to confirm the cause and plan safe management.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.