Abstract
The possible influence of steroid hormones in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been a matter
of great interest. A first illustration comes from the analyses of the influence of
gender on susceptibility to MS and on MS severity. A series of arguments emerge in
favour of a possible influence of steroid hormones in MS. The menstrual cycle, and
even more pregnancy, may influence the clinical evolution of MS. In the PRIMS study,
there was a dramatic decrease in the relapse rate during pregnancy, especially in
the third trimester, with a rebound increase in the 3 months post partum. Animal studies
have provided further confirmatory results. Many experiments have shown that sex steroids
may have immunological effects, in preventing or treating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.
They could also have an effect on myelinating and remyelinating the peripheral and
possibly the central nervous system. These clinical and experimental data have led
to consider sexual steroids as potential therapeutic tools for preventing relapses
in women with MS, in particular in the post-partum period.
Keywords
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