MS Awareness Week 2024

MS Awareness Week 2024 runs from 22 - 28 April. We're once again working with other MS charities to get people talking about all the symptoms of MS.

MS has such a wide variety of different symptoms, but often some feel easier to talk about than others. Have you ever felt embarrassed by issues like bladder control or sexual dysfunction?

You're not alone!

This MS Awareness Week, we're working with the MS Society, MS Together, MS-UK, Neuro Therapy Network, Overcoming MS and Shift.ms. We want to break the stigma. We want to get people talking about all the symptoms of MS, not just those that feel more comfortable.

Resources

At the MS Trust no topic is off limits. We are keenly aware that some symptoms of MS might be uncomfortable for people to talk about, however that doesn't mean that we shy away from them. The MS Trust's A-Z covers every symptom of MS, whether you feel confident talking about it to your friends, or if you'd rather find out information in private.

Visit the A-Z

On this page

Bladder

Many people with MS experience bladder problems. This can include needing the toilet urgently and frequently, difficulty emptying your bladder, and bladder accidents. With the right support most issues can be managed so they have less impact on your life.

Bowel

Bowel problems in MS can include constipation, bowel accidents and loose bowel movements. There are a range of effective treatments available for these issues that can help you feel more confident in your daily life going forward.

Sexual problems for men

Research suggests that more than half of men who live with MS may experience sexual problems. This may feel embarrassing to discuss, but in many cases there is treatment available to help.

Sexual problems for women

Around half to three quarters of women living with MS will experience sexual problems. It may feel embarrassing to talk about sex, but support is available.

Cognition

Many people with MS talk about 'brain fog' or 'Cog fog', this can lead to a loss of words and memory problems or trouble concentration or planning. Our pages on cognition offer practical solutions to help you with this problem.

Work

Some people find it hard to raise MS with their employers, they might feel embarrassed around adjustments they may need. This page looks at how you can explain MS to your employer, to enable you to continue doing your job.

We'd like to hear about your experiences of MS symptoms that might be considered embarrassing or sensitive. By raising awareness and understanding of how common these symptoms are, we can go some way to dispelling the taboo around them. We will be sharing these stories in MS Awareness Week using the hashtag #MSUnfiltered.

If you'd be interested in sharing your story publicly, please contact comms@mstrust.org.uk

Download our awareness pack

You can download a pack of resources, including our posters and social images, to share with friends, family, colleagues or followers from our online shop.

Download free awareness pack