Menopause support for women with MS

Navigating menopause and perimenopause can be challenging, especially for women with MS, as symptoms often overlap and it can be hard to know what may be causing those symptoms. Our Perimenopause, Menopause and MS Symptoms Checklist is designed to help.

Dr Francesca Bridge, a neurologist and researcher at Alfred Health and Monash University, discusses the link between menopause and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), shedding light on an area of research that hasn't been explored much. Researchers are particularly interested in how sex hormones impact MS, however, we don't know much about how menopause, another significant hormonal shift, affects MS. Dr. Bridge emphasised the need to fill this knowledge gap because it might be connected to disease activity.

Continence Nurse Fiona Easton discusses the impact of menopause and perimenopause on bladder health, especially in women with MS. She elaborates on typical changes during menopause, effective management strategies, and the importance of pelvic floor exercises. This episode provides valuable information for women navigating menopause and its associated bladder changes.

Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, leading to significant biological and physiological changes. Exercise Physiologist Talita Welmans helps with understanding these shifts and how incorporating exercise can help manage symptoms and support overall well-being during this transition.

Sue is a women living with MS. In this series of videos, developed as part of a Women's Health resource, Sue shares her experience of menopause and how this can be impacted when living with a diagnosis of MS.

In this podcast Julie Orr, an accredited dietitian with MS Plus, explores the relationship between diet and menopause, offering easy to follow strategies for managing menopausal symptoms through nutrition.

Dr Fatima Khan is a menopause specialist at the Agora Centre, Epworth Hospital. In addition to extensive training in medicine, Fatima has an Advanced Menopause Certification accredited from the British Menopausal Society and Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive and Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Fatima is a member of the International Menopause Society and the Australian Menopause Society.

Menopause is a significant life transition that can affects many aspects of health. As hormonal changes impact the body, managing menopause symptoms and the associated health changes through a balanced diet can play a role in helping navigate this time of change.