Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, a neurologist and researcher at UCLA Medical School, is currently doing a study looking at women with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and the effects that estriol may have on their disease process.  This study comes on the heels of an earlier one she did that involved mice who were induced with a MS like disease and given estriol.  She found that the mice who were treated with estriol had less exacerbations, less disability, and in general better health when taking estriol than the mice who did not get estriol.

Little is known about MS
but one fact has been clearly established ; women with MS do better when pregnant (especially in the third trimester when estriol levels are at their highest) -this fact was the basis of Dr. Voskuhl's studies.  The results of Dr. Voskuhl's mice study were published in the magazine Neurology in April  1999.

The implications of her studies are clear - women with autoimmune diseases like MS may benefit from taking estriol.  Women with MS have reported an improvement in their symptoms while taking estriol.  Estriol, a naturally occurring estrogen, has fewer side effects than do other estrogens.  It is the weakest form of estrogen that a woman's body produces.  While estriol has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States, over 30 countries around the world use it.  Estriol can be obtained in the United States through a doctor's prescription submitted to a compounding pharmacy which are located through the United States.

Editor's Note:
In talking with various women who are perimenopausal and beyond who have MS I have found that the ones who take an estrogen product whether birth control pills or another estrogen product do better.  There is a tendency for this disease to get active during hormone fluctuations, 6 months post partum (after giving birth) ,for example, is a time for exacerbations ( this is when estriol levels return to normal) and in my research I have found women going through perimenopause and menopause (another time of great hormone fluctuations) also suffer the most if not taking estrogen.

Study Update 2001 - It works!!

In spring 2001, the study has been completed and initial results above have been confirmed. For relapsing remitting MS, the study shows an improvement in symptoms. Also, the brain scans (MRI) for women taking estriol improved.

Dr. Voskuhl, is planning on another follow-up study and at HotFlash, we will keep you posted!!

Comments:

Progressive MS, birth control pills
& getting better after two months
From: Caroline Brodie
I have primary progressive MS. I was continually getting worse and asked my doctor for either Methotrexate or Cytoxin. But rather than that my primary care physician put me on birth control pills saying that she felt that would help me. I didn't think it would, but after being on them for over two months now I have stabilized and feel hopeful for the first time in 3 years!

MS Symptoms Worsened
AFTER stopping hormones
From Victoria:
Dear Sue,
I am a 37 year old female with MS....I was diagnosed in 1983 upon experiencing a second episode of optic neuritis. The initial onset of the disease was in 1987 with optic neuritis in the right eye at 14 years of age. My concern is that after I stopped taking the birth control pills, I experienced fatigue. I was the picture of health until my body shifted from the absence of hormones. I've begun taking Loestriol birth control pills again (July 27, 2000) and I pray that I will notice a significant change. I've opted not to to do the ABC drugs at this time in hopes that a breakthrough will be revealed. Please know that you and Dr. Voskuhl are on to something big!!
Thank you,
Victoria

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"When the Road Turns"
Inspirational Stories about People with MS
by Margot Russell
hosted by Joe Spataro
This book is the first of its kind to share the real-life struggles and triumphs of those facing MS in one inspiring collection. Margot Russell has worked as a news broadcaster, a reporter and a television producer, and was diagnosed with MS in 1998. In this interview with Margot, we look at how her book is different, telling the stories of real people; different types of MS; hormonal therapy for MS; the differences between men and women with MS; how to get in touch with your dreams, your talents and your ambitions; and more about Margot and her family. If you or someone in your family has MS, this is a great place to begin your journey and to share your story with our support group.

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