Questions about MS? 0808 800 8000
Donate now
A photo of a mother in a wheelcahir with her two young childeren on a bridge

Types of MS

There are three main types of MS - relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive.

MS affects everyone differently. Even if you have the same type of MS as someone else, you probably won't experience the same symptoms in the same way.

In this section

a photo of a couple walking in the park

Relapsing MS

In relapsing MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade away either partially or completely. Symptoms you've had before might come back, or you might get new symptoms. Around 85% of people with MS are diagnosed with this type.

Read about relapsing MS
A photo of a Man smiling with crutches sat outside

Secondary progressive MS

Many people with relapsing MS go on to have secondary progressive MS. It means they have a build-up of disability, independent of any relapses.

Read about secondary progressive MS
Photo shows a man in a wheelchair smiling at the camera, with his friends behind him.

Primary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS affects about 10-15% of people diagnosed with MS. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).

Read about primary progressive MS

Active MS and MS with progression

As well as the main types of multiple sclerosis, doctors and researchers might use other words to describe it. 

They may say that MS is one of the following: active, not active, with progression or without progression.

Read about active MS and MS with progression

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)

In the years before an MS diagnosis, some people are diagnosed with one of two syndromes: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS).

Many people diagnosed with these never go on to get MS. But for some they’re an early sign that they’ll later develop it.

Read about CIS and RIS

Benign MS

The term benign MS is sometimes used to describe a version of relapsing MS with very mild or no attacks separated by long periods with no symptoms.

You can only really say you have benign MS after you've gone 15 years or so without many symptoms and you've got little or no disability.

Read about Benign MS

You may also be interested in

MS in children

We're used to thinking of MS as an adult condition, but children and teenagers can also develop it. It's thought that around five to ten per cent of people with MS experienced their first symptoms before the age of 16.

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.

Talking about MS

If people know about your MS and how it affects you, they'll be in a better place to offer support if and when you need it.

Members of a local group chatting at a group meeting

Find support near you

Our local groups are starting to meet face-to-face again. We've made sure any activities can happen in a COVID-safe way. Each group will go at their own pace, and you'll still find lots happening online. From coffee mornings to online yoga classes – put in your postcode to find out what's near you.