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Types of MS

There are three main types of MS – relapsing remitting, 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

Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)

In relapsing remitting MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade away either partially or completely.

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

Secondary progressive MS is a stage of MS which comes after relapsing remitting MS for many people. With this type of MS your disability gets steadily worse. Find out more about what changes might happen.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS)

When people are diagnosed with MS, about 10 to 15% get a diagnosis of primary progressive MS. It has this name because from the first (primary) symptoms it is progressive. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).

Active MS and MS with progression

As well as the main types of multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive), 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, without progression.

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)

You might be diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) if an MRI scan of your brain or spinal cord shows damage that looks like MS. But you haven’t noticed any MS-like symptoms.

Benign MS

Looking back at their MS over several years, some people are told they have benign MS. A diagnosis of benign MS doesn't guarantee you'll be free of problems. You might still get things like fatigue or problems with your memory or thinking.

What is advanced MS?

Information for people severely affected by 'advanced MS' including symptoms, residential care and end of life care.

In this section

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

Secondary progressive MS is a stage of MS which comes after relapsing remitting MS for many people. With this type of MS your disability gets steadily worse. Find out more about what changes might happen.

Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)

In relapsing remitting MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade away either partially or completely.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS)

When people are diagnosed with MS, about 10 to 15% get a diagnosis of primary progressive MS. It has this name because from the first (primary) symptoms it is progressive. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).

Active MS and MS with progression

As well as the main types of multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive), 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, without progression.

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)

You might be diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) if an MRI scan of your brain or spinal cord shows damage that looks like MS. But you haven’t noticed any MS-like symptoms.

Benign MS

Looking back at their MS over several years, some people are told they have benign MS. A diagnosis of benign MS doesn't guarantee you'll be free of problems. You might still get things like fatigue or problems with your memory or thinking.

What is advanced MS?

Information for people severely affected by 'advanced MS' including symptoms, residential care and end of life care.

In this section

Primary progressive MS (PPMS)

When people are diagnosed with MS, about 10 to 15% get a diagnosis of primary progressive MS. It has this name because from the first (primary) symptoms it is progressive. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).

Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)

In relapsing remitting MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade away either partially or completely.

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

Secondary progressive MS is a stage of MS which comes after relapsing remitting MS for many people. With this type of MS your disability gets steadily worse. Find out more about what changes might happen.

Active MS and MS with progression

As well as the main types of multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive), 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, without progression.

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)

You might be diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) if an MRI scan of your brain or spinal cord shows damage that looks like MS. But you haven’t noticed any MS-like symptoms.

Benign MS

Looking back at their MS over several years, some people are told they have benign MS. A diagnosis of benign MS doesn't guarantee you'll be free of problems. You might still get things like fatigue or problems with your memory or thinking.

What is advanced MS?

Information for people severely affected by 'advanced MS' including symptoms, residential care and end of life care.

In this section

Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)

In relapsing remitting MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade away either partially or completely.

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

Secondary progressive MS is a stage of MS which comes after relapsing remitting MS for many people. With this type of MS your disability gets steadily worse. Find out more about what changes might happen.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS)

When people are diagnosed with MS, about 10 to 15% get a diagnosis of primary progressive MS. It has this name because from the first (primary) symptoms it is progressive. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).

Active MS and MS with progression

As well as the main types of multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive), 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, without progression.

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)

You might be diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) if an MRI scan of your brain or spinal cord shows damage that looks like MS. But you haven’t noticed any MS-like symptoms.

Benign MS

Looking back at their MS over several years, some people are told they have benign MS. A diagnosis of benign MS doesn't guarantee you'll be free of problems. You might still get things like fatigue or problems with your memory or thinking.

What is advanced MS?

Information for people severely affected by 'advanced MS' including symptoms, residential care and end of life care.

MS diagnosis survey

We want to hear your experience of being diagnosed with MS. It doesn't matter when that was.

Answering our anonymous, short survey will help us shape the support we give people in the future.

The survey closes on Tuesday 30 June.

Take our survey

You may also be interested in

What is MS?

What is MS? Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects your central nervous system. In MS, the coating that protects your nerves (myelin) is damaged, causing a range of symptoms

Types of MS

There are different kinds of MS. Find out more about relapsing, secondary progressive, and primary progressive MS.

MS treatments and therapies

There are lots of ways to manage MS. Find out about drug treatments, diet, exercise and complementary and alternative therapies.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and signs

There are lots of different MS symptoms but not everyone will experience all of them. These include eye problems, pins and needles, fatigue and pain. Read about what causes them and how to manage them.

MS diagnosis

MS is complex and can cause many different symptoms, so it's not easy to diagnose. Early MS signs and symptoms are different for everyone.

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 events near you

MS Walk 2026

Walk, roll or stroll to support everyone affected by MS.

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is the ultimate Scottish running experience. It's the fastest and second-largest marathon in the UK.

MS Living Well virtual book club

Join us for our peer-led monthly book club and connect with others from across the UK living with MS.

We’re here for you

Navigating and coming to terms with an MS diagnosis can be hard. Our MS Help service is here with trusted information and personalised support to help you navigate every step of the way.

We’re making it easier for you to navigate living with MS by putting all the information and resources you need in one place. So you can understand and manage MS, live well and stay connected.

You can contact us by phone, email, on social media or through our new webchat facility. So now it’s easier than ever to access the support you need, when and how you need it.

Learn more about our MS Help

Speak to someone who knows relapsing MS

Our free MS Help service is here for everyone living with MS. We're here to help you understand and manage MS, with information you can trust. We can help you to live well, with personalised support for everyday needs. And we can help you to stay connected and build your community, with our regional and national networks.

We’re making it easier for you to navigate living with MS by putting all the information and resources you need in one place. You can contact us by phone, email, on social media or through our new webchat facility. So now it’s easier than ever to access the support you need, when and how you need it.

Learn more about MS Help

Get support with secondary progressive MS

Our free MS Help service is here support you navigating secondary progressive MS.

We're a mix of paid staff and volunteers, MS nurses, benefits and legal specialists, health and social care and fitness experts. With trusted information and personalised support, we’re here to help you manage and understand MS, live well and stay connected.

You can contact us by phone, email, on social media or through our new webchat facility. So now it’s easier than ever to access the support you need, when and how you need it.

Learn more about our MS Help

Get support with primary progressive MS

Our free MS Help service is here support you navigating primary progressive MS.

We're a mix of paid staff and volunteers, MS nurses, benefits and legal specialists, health and social care and fitness experts. With information you can trust and personalised support, we’re here to help you manage and understand MS, live well and stay connected.

You can contact us by phone, email, on social media or through our new webchat facility. So now it’s easier than ever to access the support you need, when and how you need it.

Learn more about MS Help

Get support as a friend, family member or carer

Supporting someone with MS can be lonely. Our MS Help services are here for everyone affected by MS, including friends and family. Visit our MS Help Hub and find out about the services we offer and information and support we can provide.

We’re here to help everyone understand and manage the complexities of MS. To help you live well with every day support. And stay connected through our national and local networks, online and in person.

You can reach us by phone, email or start a conversation wherever you see the webchat icon.

Learn more about our MS Help

Speak to someone who knows MS

Our free MS Help services are here for everyone affected by MS.

We can provide trusted information so you can understand and manage MS. Personalised support and guidance for everyday living so you can live well. And help you connect with others by finding, growing and maintaining your MS community, in person and online.

You can talk to us in confidence by phone or our new webchat facility from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) and email us any time. Explore our services or start a conversation by visiting our MS Help Hub.

Learn more about MS Help