What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in men? The first symptoms of multiple sclerosis are often vague and easily ignored by men. However, early diagnosis can help prompt initiation of disease-modifying treatment, which may potentially slow disease progression. Treatment may also include therapy for acute relapses and symptom management. Gender does not play a significant role in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis presents differently in each case and the range of symptoms is wide. Some symptoms of multiple sclerosis in men are: Double vision, optic neuritis; Vertigo; Lack of strength in limbs; Tingling or other unusual sensations (dysesthesia); Stiffness in the muscles (spasticity); Problems with balance, coordination and gait; Cognitive problems; Fatigue; Bowel and bladder problems When symptoms reoccur, this is called a relapse. Relapses can last from a few days to many weeks. Remissions can last from a few weeks to years. What is characteristic of multiple sclerosis in men? It is not clear why, but men are more often diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. This type of multiple sclerosis is characterized by a lack of remissions and symptoms that do not improve. Research shows that men are more likely than women to experience: Increased disease progression; Cerebral atrophy; Cognitive disorders; Atrophy of the gray matter of the brain; Thinning of the nerve fiber layer of the retina Greater loss of axons (long processes of nerve cells) of the spinal cord Research from 2014 suggests that men who suffer from multiple sclerosis may be at greater risk of hypogonadism, which may be related to disease progression. And research from 2015 suggests that androgens may affect men’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis. More research is needed to confirm and explore these relationships. What is the prognosis for multiple sclerosis in men? Men with multiple sclerosis are more likely to have a worse prognosis. Other factors that can worsen the prognosis are: Progressive course of the disease; Early and frequent relapses; Minimal recovery between relapses; Presence of spinal cord or brain lesions, or brain atrophy demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Bibliography: 1. Healthline. Multiple Sclerosis in Men 2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Tafti D, et al. (2021). Multiple sclerosis 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Cotsapas C, et al. (2018). Genome-wide association studies of multiple sclerosis 4. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Gianfrancesco MA, et al. (2016). Obesity and multiple sclerosis susceptibility: A review 5. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Eccles A. (2019).Delayed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in males: May account for and dispel common understandings of different MS ‘types’