link between relaspes and female hormones?

[jenandherboys]

I've been reading about the link between sx and female hormones, esp. during pregnancy. The idea is that the higher hormones levels during pregnancy actually provide some protective aspect resulting in fewer/no sx.  

Does anyone know if the levels in birth control pills could provide a similar benefit, especially if my naturally ocurring levels tend to be abnormal?

The reason I ask is that I haven't experienced/realized sx until after stopping my birth control pill last August.  Since then, I can count only about 12 weeks w/o Sx of some kind (of varying severity).

Just wondering if there could be any correlation, or if anyone has experienced something similar.  Otherwise it could just be a coincidence.

Thanks for your input!
Jen

[Khiba]

I have to say that my MS went crazy when I hit menopause. It's gotten worse in the two years since. I wish I could take estrogen in some form or other but since I had breast cancer, hormone therapy is essentially out according to my doctors.

[jenandherboys]

Thanks for your input, Lulu!

Actually, there have been many studies investigating the connection between hormones and relapses, just no real therapies that have resulted yet. I think some of the reports have been meerly preliminary investigations that warrant further study on the possible connection.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has had any related experiences-even if due to "natural" hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy, menopause, hysterectormy, etc.

Thanks again!
Jen

[Lulu54]

Interesting question, Jen.  

Here is my guess and this is totally a guess -  I'm thinking that there would have been serious investigative studies looking at the use of hormones to control relapses.  It is an obvious question that should have been looked at.

We don't hear of connections between the pill and MS, so mu quess is you have experienced a  coincidence.

Anyone else have an opinion?  Like I said, I am just guessing here.

Lulu