In 2010, Elizabeth Quigley had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis since 2000. When she found out she was pregnant, she did not expect motherhood to be the second blessing the pregnancy would bestow upon her.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues leading to issues like blurry vision, numbness or tingling in the face, arms, legs and fingers, bladder or bowel problems, dizziness, extreme fatigue, muscle spasms, speech and thinking problems, tremors and more. Over time the symptoms become worse.
But when Quigley was pregnant, her symptoms, which included muscle spasms, and tremors, her health improved and stayed that way even after pregnancy.
Some women have reported that seasonal health issues they suffered with since childhood, did not return after pregnancy and childbirth.
Although these health issues are suffered by both genders, women, apparently, may have a free ticket out of the suffering if and when they get pregnant.
It is not known what exactly happens to bring about this 'cure' but it is said that a number of body changes may be behind it.
Here are four conditions that pregnancy may cure
Painful joints
Also known as rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy seems to ease its symptoms just like in the case of MS. This condition is associated with painful joints causing swelling.
A 2008 study showed that as many as 75 per cent to 90 per cent of women with RA go into remission while pregnant. One theory is that the baby’s immune system may actually change the mother’s immune response.
Low libido
Before the third trimester, when many women feel huge and tired, they will often have an increased sex drive. According to Healthline, pregnancy comes with extra blood flow to the genital area, creating hypersensitivity and heightening pleasure. A boost in pregnancy sex can also speed up postpartum recovery.
Migraines
According to the American Migraine Foundation, a whopping 50 per cent to 80 per cent of pregnant women who suffer from migraines experience a reduction in attacks.
Rising estrogen levels are believed to be the culprit in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines, so much so, that hormone replacement therapy that mimics the pregnancy effects on the body is starting to be used more for the treatment of migraines, especially for women who get them around the time of menstruation.
Unfortunately, a reduction in migraines during pregnancy may not be the case for all women who suffer from migraines, and doctors generally advise women who are pregnant to avoid medications.
Hair loss
Pregnancy can change the texture and growth of hair during pregnancy, giving you full, luxurious hair.
A common misconception is that pregnancy makes you grow more hair, but the American Pregnancy Association says what’s really happening is that the increased level of estrogen makes you lose hair more slowly and for the current hair to grow more quickly.
On the other hand, it also increases the growth rate of other parts of your body. Women who are pregnant should be careful of how they treat the unwanted hair on their body and face. Bleaching can be absorbed into the bloodstream while waxing, shaving and plucking are safe.