That's a lot to deal with — a broken kneecap is no small thing, and adding osteoporosis concerns on top of MS is genuinely stressful. Let's break this down into parts.
Does MS get worse or better after menopause?
The research is actually mixed on this, but a large Australian study of nearly 1,000 women found some Show Full Answer
That's a lot to deal with — a broken kneecap is no small thing, and adding osteoporosis concerns on top of MS is genuinely stressful. Let's break this down into parts.
Does MS get worse or better after menopause?
The research is actually mixed on this, but a large Australian study of nearly 1,000 women found some reassuring news: menopause itself does not appear to cause MS to worsen or speed up disability progression.
The three factors that most influence MS disability over time are:
- Biological aging — the natural aging process
- Duration of MS — how long you've lived with the condition
- Use of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies — powerful medications that help control MS activity
That said, some studies have found that up to 50% of postmenopausal women reported worsening MS symptoms, while others found symptoms stayed the same or even improved. So experiences can vary quite a bit from person to person.
Menopause and MS also share overlapping symptoms — like fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and bladder problems — which can make it hard to tell what's causing what. About Bafiertam and fracture risk with osteoporosis
This is a really important question to bring directly to your neurologist and the doctor managing your osteoporosis — ideally together, or at least in close communication with each other.
Here's what's worth knowing:
- Postmenopausal women already have a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures
- People with MS may have an additional increased fracture risk, which can be related to steroid use for managing MS inflammation
- Monitoring bone density is considered an important part of MS care, especially after menopause
Please do not stop taking Bafiertam on your own. Stopping a disease-modifying therapy without medical guidance can leave MS activity uncontrolled, which carries its own serious risks.
Your care team can weigh the benefits of your current MS treatment against your bone health concerns, and explore options like:
- Bone density monitoring
- Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
- Medications to protect bone strength
- Possibly adjusting your MS treatment if truly necessary
A MyMSTeam member once said, *"Menopause and MS are hellish together"* — and adding osteoporosis to the mix makes it even more important to have a coordinated care team in your corner.
July 21
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