Multiple sclerosis: Pregnancy and women's health issues

Abstract

Background: The course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by sex, pregnancy and hormonal factors.

Aims: To analyse the influence of the above factors in order to clarify the aetiopathogenic mechanisms involved in the disease.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of scientific publications in the PubMed database using a keyword search for 'multiple sclerosis', 'MS', 'EAE', 'pregnancy', 'hormonal factors', 'treatment', and related terms. We reviewed the advances presented at the meeting held by the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in March 2013 in London, as well as recommendations by international experts.

Results and conclusions: We provide recommendations for counselling and treating women with MS prior to and during pregnancy and after delivery. Current findings on the effects of treatment on the mother, fetus, and newborn are also presented. We issue recommendations for future research in order to address knowledge gaps and clarify any inconsistencies in currently available data.

Keywords: Embarazo; Esclerosis múltiple; Hormonas; Hormones; Multiple sclerosis; Pathophysiology; Patofisiología; Pregnancy; Sex; Sexo; Tratamiento; Treatment.