title: The immune system and hormones: review and relevance to pregnancy and contraception in women with MS.
abstract: Two-thirds of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are women, and the average age of onset overlaps the childbearing years. Clinicians are frequently asked, therefore, about the most appropriate form of contraception and the risk of an MS relapse/exacerbation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. This paper reviews the literature on the immune system and the effects of pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy on MS.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine (Division of Neurology), University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5 Canada.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Devonshire
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duquette
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dwosh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guimond
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D006680:HLA Antigens