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Should i have no children when i have ms, whichdisease

Should I have no children when I have ms, whichdisease

Shouldn’t I have kids if I have MS?

Q1. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year ago and have been in remission ever since. I am 30 years old and married. Shortly before the diagnosis, we planned to start a family. We have decided that starting a family is not a good idea because we do not know whether I have a “benign MS” or a progressive MS. Our main concern is the fact that our children can get MS and if my MS progresses quickly it will make things even more difficult. I was wondering if there are any thoughts on the subject. We always talked about children. Now we only avoid the topic. Thank you for listening.

There is good reason to believe that susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is affected by genetic factors. Although it is likely that environmental factors are also important – such as low vitamin D levels or exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus – the disease will only be affected by those who are genetically susceptible. Studies in twins confirm this hypothesis. The risk of developing MS in an unaffected fraternal (not identical) twin is only about 2 percent, whereas the risk in an identical twin is much higher – 25 to 30 percent. While these statistics support the assumption that genetic factors are important, they also indicate an important environmental impact. Because if genes were the only factor, that number would be 100 percent for identical twins!

Studies in families in which more than one family member has MS show that other family members have an increased risk of developing MS compared to the general population. The risk of developing MS is around 0.15 percent in the general population, and the risk for a child who has a mother with MS is around 2 percent. This is still a very small number, and the vast majority of children born to parents with multiple sclerosis will never develop the disease themselves.

Based on these statistics, and because the risk is low, we recommend that patients make family planning decisions regardless of the risk of a future child suffering from multiple sclerosis. So keep talking about kids. A genetic risk for multiple sclerosis is not a reason to avoid a family if you want to.

Q2. It is more common for MS symptoms to appear more intensely during menstruation?

In a study published in 2002, 42 percent of patients had exacerbations that started in the premenstrual period and the number of premenstrual relapses was significantly higher than at other times of the month. In this group, there was no correlation between the severity of premenstrual syndrome and the possibility of MS relapse, and taking an oral contraceptive did not appear to offer any protection against relapse before the period. These results suggest that premenstrual periods can lead to exacerbations in some women with MS.

In addition, some women find that many of their persistent symptoms – such as bladder problems, fatigue and spasticity – appear to worsen during menstruation. However, this effect is reversible and improves after the period. There are a number of strategies to avoid and treat MS symptoms during your period. Ask your doctor about specific suggestions.

Q3. I am 30 years old and have a relapsing MS. I have 3 year old twin daughters. I want another child, but I’m afraid of risking it with my MS. I’m afraid I won’t be so blessed next time. I had a caesarean section without relapses for the first pregnancy. Please give me your opinion.

50 years ago, doctors often advised women with multiple sclerosis to avoid pregnancy because they thought pregnancy could worsen the disease or lead to a new disability. However, more recently we have learned that nothing could be further from the truth.

Your ability to get pregnant is not affected by MS, and there is no data to suggest that long-term progression of MS is adversely affected by pregnancy or childbirth. Indeed, pregnancy has a protective effect in MS. There is less chance of MS relapse during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimester. Only about a third of women will get a torch during pregnancy. This is generally a very quiet time for MS!

The postpartum period, especially the first three to six months, is associated with a temporary increase in disease activity and a somewhat higher relapse rate. However, in the first three months after childbirth, no more than a third of women suffer a torch, and after that time the frequency of relapses returns to the pre-pregnancy level.

It is also worth noting that neither pain relief at birth nor breastfeeding has a negative impact on MS. Conversely, MS has no negative impact on pregnancy, childbirth or the health of the child. Pregnancy, labor and delivery are no different in women with MS than in women without disease.

The decision to have another child is a personal decision. In general, women with MS who are considering pregnancy can proceed successfully. If your disease is stable, there is no neurological reason why you should not pursue your plans.

Q4. My husband has multiple sclerosis. And although I haven’t had any problems with it since childhood, I was born with Bell’s palsy. Now we’re trying to have a child, and I was just wondering if this could increase the likelihood that our child would have a neurological disorder.

There is no evidence that Bell’s palsy is hereditary, and I would not worry about it. However, there is a genetic predisposition for a child whose parents have MS. The risk that a child will develop MS if one of the parents has MS is around 4 percent. In comparison, the risk of MS for the general population is around 0.2 percent.

Learn more at the Everyday Health Multiple Sclerosis Center .

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Christina Cherry
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