Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. It is more prevalent in females than males and often diagnosed between the age of 20 to 40 years.

The early signs of MS include numbness, weakness, tingling sensations, blurry vision, and cognitive issues. However, many uncommon MS symptoms that mostly affect females are not discussed often, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. This article discusses ten uncommon MS signs that females should know about.

1. Dysphagia

Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing is a less common early symptom of MS that often affects females. It may cause discomfort while eating or drinking, leading to weight loss and malnutrition.

In severe cases, dysphagia can also increase the risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, if a female MS patient has trouble swallowing, they should consult a physician immediately to rule out other underlying issues and start treatment to prevent complications.

2. Lhermitte’s sign

Lhermitte’s sign is an uncommon and classical symptom of MS, where a patient experiences an electric shock-like sensation down their spine or neck while bending their head.

This sensation may radiate down to the arms and legs and may cause temporary weakness or paralysis. Although Lhermitte’s sign is not unique to MS and can occur in other conditions, such as spinal cord injury and cervical spondylosis, it often indicates MS diagnosis if other symptoms are present.

3. Intense Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of MS, affecting up to 80% of the patients, but the intensity of fatigue can vary from mild to severe. Some female MS patients may experience extreme fatigue that can be debilitating and interfere with their daily activities.

This fatigue is often unrelieved by rest and may last for weeks or months. Therefore, if a female MS patient experiences intense and prolonged fatigue, they should consult a doctor to rule out other disorders and get relief with appropriate management.

4. Tremors

MS can cause tremors or involuntary shaking of the limbs, especially in females. These tremors can be mild and barely noticeable or severe enough to affect movement or balance.

Tremors in MS are usually associated with other symptoms like weakness, stiffness, and numbness. However, tremors can also occur without any other symptoms and may be mistaken for essential tremors, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.

Therefore, if a female MS patient experiences tremors, they should consult a doctor to diagnose and distinguish the cause.

5. Emotional Instability

MS can cause emotional instability or mood swings, affecting the patient’s outlook on life. Females are more prone to emotional disturbances than males in MS, and this can occur at any stage of the disease.

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The emotional symptoms may include anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability, and apathy. These symptoms can interfere with the patient’s quality of life and often get underdiagnosed or untreated. Therefore, a female MS patient should seek counseling and therapy if they experience emotional instability.

6. Urinary and bowel dysfunction

Urinary and bowel dysfunction is a common MS symptom, but females are more likely to experience it than males. The dysfunction may include incontinence, urgency, frequency, retention, and constipation.

These symptoms may lead to embarrassment, anxiety, and social isolation, affecting the patient’s mental health. Therefore, a female MS patient should discuss their urinary and bowel situation with their doctor and get effective management with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

7. Balance and coordination issues

MS often affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. Therefore, female patients with MS may experience balance and coordination problems, leading to falls, injuries, and disability.

These symptoms usually occur later in the disease, but can also be early signs of MS. Therefore, a female patient with balance or coordination issues should consult a physician to rule out MS or other conditions.

8. Skin Sensitivity

Some female MS patients may experience skin sensitivity or pain when exposed to touch, cold, or heat. This symptom is known as tactile allodynia and can be a neuropathic pain.

Tactile allodynia occurs due to sensory dysfunction in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and may occur in other conditions like fibromyalgia. Therefore, if a female MS patient experiences skin sensitivity or pain, they should consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

9. Vision disturbances

MS often causes optic neuritis or inflammation of the optic nerve, leading to blurred vision, double vision, colorblindness, and pain in the eyes. Females are more prone to optic neuritis than males in MS, and it may occur at any stage of the disease.

Optic neuritis may last for weeks to months, but the patient’s vision usually improves gradually. However, if the vision loss is severe or recurrent, the patient may need steroid therapy or immunomodulatory drugs. Therefore, a female MS patient should report any vision disturbances to their doctor and get appropriate management.

10. Speech and Communication Difficulties

MS can cause speech and communication difficulties, leading to slurring, stuttering, hoarseness, and dysarthria. Females with MS are more likely to experience these symptoms than males, and it can affect their social and professional life.

Speech and communication difficulties may occur due to the involvement of the brainstem, cerebellum, or the motor cortex. Therefore, a female MS patient with speech and communication difficulties should seek medical assessment and therapy to improve their communication skills and reduce social isolation.