UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT AND BURDEN OF MENOPAUSE ON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THROUGH A TARGETED LITERATURE REVIEW
Author(s)
Divya Jain, PharmD, MS, Arliene Ravelo, MS, Ibraheem Abioye, MPH, PhD, Elmor D. Pineda, MS, RPh, PharmD.
Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Approximately 30% of the current multiple sclerosis (MS) population is peri- or post-menopausal. Given the known role of sex hormones in modifying MS activity, the permanent hormonal decline during menopause suggests a potential inflection point toward a progressive phase, characterized by decreasing relapse rates and increasing disability. However, limited information exists on the interplay between menopause and MS, including appropriate patient management. The objective was to evaluate literature across three topics (T): (T1) the influence of menopause on MS disease progression, (T2) the burden of menopause in women with MS (WwMS) and (T3) the impact of menopause on MS DMT use.
METHODS: A targeted literature search was conducted using data published from inception to 2025 using literature (eg. PubMed, Embase) and congress (eg, AAN, ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS) databases. Search terms included menopause (peri/post menopause; menopause) and multiple sclerosis (eg, relapsing-remitting, primary/secondary progressive) in the title or abstract.
RESULTS: Overall, 163 results were single screened from peer-reviewed literature databases, and 128 from congress databases. Twenty-seven articles and 19 abstracts were identified: (T1) 25 articles and 16 abstracts; (T2) 2 articles and 3 abstracts; and (T3) 0 results. For (T1), evidence regarding disease worsening after menopause was mixed, although the majority supported worsening. For (T2), supportive literature for the increased burden of menopause in women with MS was limited; “overlap” symptoms (eg, urological, brain fog) between menopause and MS were identified.
CONCLUSIONS: The preponderance of evidence suggests that MS disease may worsen after menopause. Limited literature exists on the burden of menopause in WwMS and the impact of menopause on DMT use, highlighting an important literature gap. This review had many limitations, such as the confounding effect of age on both menopause and MS activity. Future research is recommended to elucidate the burden of menopause on WwMS and its impact on MS DMT use.
METHODS: A targeted literature search was conducted using data published from inception to 2025 using literature (eg. PubMed, Embase) and congress (eg, AAN, ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS) databases. Search terms included menopause (peri/post menopause; menopause) and multiple sclerosis (eg, relapsing-remitting, primary/secondary progressive) in the title or abstract.
RESULTS: Overall, 163 results were single screened from peer-reviewed literature databases, and 128 from congress databases. Twenty-seven articles and 19 abstracts were identified: (T1) 25 articles and 16 abstracts; (T2) 2 articles and 3 abstracts; and (T3) 0 results. For (T1), evidence regarding disease worsening after menopause was mixed, although the majority supported worsening. For (T2), supportive literature for the increased burden of menopause in women with MS was limited; “overlap” symptoms (eg, urological, brain fog) between menopause and MS were identified.
CONCLUSIONS: The preponderance of evidence suggests that MS disease may worsen after menopause. Limited literature exists on the burden of menopause in WwMS and the impact of menopause on DMT use, highlighting an important literature gap. This review had many limitations, such as the confounding effect of age on both menopause and MS activity. Future research is recommended to elucidate the burden of menopause on WwMS and its impact on MS DMT use.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
SA27
Topic
Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Literature Review & Synthesis
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders, SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health