Photo: Man walking with crutch

MS symptoms and signs

MS has many symptoms and not everyone will experience all of them.

Some of the most common symptoms include eye problems, pins and needles, fatigue and pain.

In this section, you can find out about what causes MS symptoms and how to manage them.

Help stop MS

Donate now

Exercises for MS symptoms
Research tells us exercise can help you manage common MS symptoms, like fatigue, muscle spasms or balance. So we've worked with neurophysiotherapist Rachel and Pilates instructor Beth to create a series of exercise videos tailored to symptoms you've told us you need help with most. There is an audio described version of this video.
Find more exercises for MS symptoms

Find out more about symptoms of MS

Photo: Man with MS standing with friend outside

Visible symptoms

Some symptoms of MS can be seen or heard by those around us.

These visible symptoms of MS commonly include:

loss of balance and dizziness

stiffness or spasms

tremor

speech problems
Photo: Couple sat at table and drinking tea in the garden

Invisible symptoms

Some symptoms of MS can't easily be seen by anyone else. These include:

fatigue

pain

bladder problems

bowel trouble

vision problems

difficulty swallowing
Image shows a woman sat at home concerned about her MS diagnosis

Memory, thinking and emotions

For some people, MS has an effect on memory, thinking and emotions. These can be some of the most difficult symptoms to come to terms with, but there are ways to cope.

Find out about:

problems with memory and thinking

mental health and emotions

Early signs of MS

MS can cause a wide range of symptoms and there's no exact list of early signs. A first symptom for one person may never be experienced by someone else.

Find out about early signs of MS

Sex and relationships

Anyone can experience sexual problems, and MS can throw extra challenges into the mix. But you can find ways to enjoy sex and intimacy.

Read about sex and MS
Members of a local group smiling

Find support near you

From support groups to information events, there's lots of ways to connect with people who understand what life's like with MS.

Please ensure you have entered and selected a location Go
Walkers at MS Walk

About us

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, volunteers and fundraisers.

Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Learn more about us