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.