Evaluating sex hormone levels in reproductive age women with multiple sclerosis and their relationship with disease severity

BACKGROUND: Sex-related differences in the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) could be influenced by the sex hormones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort (historical) study evaluated the sex hormone levels during menstrual cycle and their correlation with disease severity in MS. RESULT: Patients with MS had significantly lower testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and prolactin levels than controls in the follicular and luteal phase but lower estradiol levels only in the follicular phase. A positive correlation coefficient between follicle stimulating hormone and disease severity, and a reverse correlation with estradiol were found. CONCLUSION: The hormone-related modulation of disease severity supports the suggestion that sex hormones play a role in MS disease.