When you look at a list of the typical symptoms associated with perimenopause, you'd think you were looking at a list of MS symptoms. And, for women living with MS, that's where the confusion begins. With an estimated 30% of the current MS population now in peri- or post-menopause, researchers are beginning to focus on how menopause and MS interact and the best ways to treat symptoms.

Dr. Riley Bove, a neurologist and founding director of the Sex and Gender-Enriched (SAGE) Neurology Program at the University of California San Francisco, joins me to talk about the things you need to know when you're managing MS while you're managing menopause.

We'll also tell you about this year's winner of the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research.

We'll share a deeply personal poem written by a friend who's been living with MS since 1988.

And we'll tell you about the results of a study that should be a reminder of the importance of starting disease-modifying therapy and the value of early intervention.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: We're in Washington, D.C., at the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference :22

Dr. Amit-Bar-Or is the winner of the 2025 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research 2:26

Magician Wayne Dobson's poem 7:07

STUDY: Cognitive impairment is prevalent among people living with untreated MS 10:23

Dr. Riley Bove talks about the things you need to know when you're managing MS while you're managing perimenopause and menopause 14:18

Share this episode 32:56

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 33:16

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RealTalk MS Episode 395 Guests: Dr. Riley Bove

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