Everything You should Know about ALS in Women

When people hear the words ALS disease, they recall Lou Gehrig, the famous baseball star whose condition brought the whole world into focus when it came to this life-ruining illness. However, for most women, the stories of Kim Shattuck, lead guitar and singer with the punk group The Muffs, and Jenifer Estess, a famous theater producer, shed light on the challenges faced by women when suffering from the disease.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about ALS in women, from initial symptoms to current treatment and management methods. Most importantly, we want to inform you that you are not alone—treatments like stem cell therapy are giving hope where once there was little.

ALS Prevalence

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or motor neuron disease, is a degenerative but uncommon neurological disorder. It destroys the brain and spinal cord's motor neurons, gradually debilitating muscles and taking away independence.

Epidemiological research demonstrates that ALS happens a bit more often in men than women, and by a ratio of about 1.2~1.5:1, male to female. However, the disparity decreases considerably with increasing age, especially after menopause. The onset peak is 55 to 75 years of age, but women below this age are also at risk.

ALS comes in two general forms:

1 Sporadic ALS – It is the most common one and accounts for about 90–95% of total cases. It occurs randomly without a clear family history.

2 Familial ALS (FALS) – Accounts for 5–10% of cases and is inherited and caused by genetic mutations.

In females with familial ALS, there is a significant genetic risk that can affect not only the patient but also first-degree relatives such as siblings and offspring, who may inherit the pathogenic mutations associated with the disease.

* All data are derived from currently available reports and are provided for reference only.

Early Warning Signs of ALS in Women

One of the most crucial information doctors provide to patients is to look out for the early warning signs of ALS in women. Unlike other diseases, ALS will begin subtly. Women would initially have weakness in one leg or hand, or difficulties with speech. Because these can be blamed on stress, age, or minor accidents, women suffer from delayed diagnosis.

Typical early symptoms of ALS in females include:

Women are more likely to develop bulbar-onset ALS, where speech and swallowing difficulties become the initial symptoms leading to the disease, compared to men. This is particularly annoying, as it interferes with communication and eating at a very early stage of the disease.

Disease Progression and Unique Challenges of ALS in Women

Once ALS begins, it takes a relentless pattern of increasing muscle weakness. In women, the process may be accompanied by unique physical, emotional, and even diagnostic difficulties.

1. Diagnostic Difficulties

Women are initially misdiagnosed, sometimes with diseases like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or thyroid disease. Because ALS is relatively rare in women compared to men, doctors can easily overlook it initially, which delays significant treatment and care planning.

2. Psychological and Social Burdens

Cultural and family roles can make the psychological burden more intense. Often, women are caregivers within their families, and the shift to needing care is devastating. This causes emotional strain as well as physical deterioration.

3. Hormonal and Biological Differences

There are suggestions that estrogen could have neuroprotective effects, which might delay the onset in females. But once ALS sets in, post-menopausal women could show a faster deterioration.

4. Progression Pattern

While every patient is different, female ALS starts in the bulbar region (speech and swallowing muscles) more often than in males, where it starts in the limbs. This difference adds to more difficulty with nutrition, communication, and emotional well-being.

ALS Treatment and Management

As of now, ALS does not have a cure. But treatments do exist to halt its progression, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Stem cells have a specialized property of regenerating damaged neurons, secreting growth factors that protect the cell, and reducing inflammation in the nervous system.

Stem cell-treated patients at SunMoon have reported the following improvements:

While stem cell therapy is not a cure, it is currently one of the hopeful treatments today. Our research and clinical practice are dedicated to tailoring therapies for each patient to achieve optimal outcomes.

Along with stem cell therapy, other traditional therapies and supportive care are as follows:

Last but not least, treatment of ALS is a team effort. SunMoon encourages every patient to embrace a holistic plan that includes medical therapy, psychological counseling, and lifestyle modification.

SunMoon Stem Cells: You Are Not Fighting Alone

ALS disease survival in women is intimidating to patients and their families. But here at SunMoon, we want you to feel you're not alone.

Daily, we touch patients' lives intimately who carry the full weight of motor neuron disease. With stem cell therapy, we've witnessed promising improvements—women strengthening their hands, reducing shortness of breath, and even speaking more clearly after treatment.

We understand that every ALS case is unique. That's why we stress individualized therapy plans, ongoing support, and compassionate care.

If you, or a family member, are showing symptoms of ALS weakness or other symptoms of motor neuron disease, please get in touch with us. Let us discuss treatments with you, aimed at improving the quality of life and enhancing your strength on the path.