Restless Legs Syndrome

“Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a brain, nerve and sleep
condition that causes a strong, nearly irresistible urge to
move your legs that’s at least partially relieved by…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Restless Legs Syndrome Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Ekbom/’s Syndrome
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
  • Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED)
  • Willis-Ekbom Disease

Definition

What is restless legs syndrome (RLS)?

DotS the definition of RLS may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s (NINDS) definition is:

“Restless legs syndrome (RLS)—also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease—is a neurological condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs.

RLS is a sleep disorder triggered by resting and attempting to sleep. It is also a movement condition, as people with RLS are forced to move their legs to find relief from symptoms”.2

In Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Overview – What Is Restless Legs Syndrome? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

Restless Legs Syndrome“Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a brain, nerve and sleep condition that causes a strong, nearly irresistible urge to move your legs that’s at least partially relieved by movement. Symptoms are more common when your body is at rest in the evening. It usually occurs in addition to uncomfortable sensations in your legs like throbbing or aching. The urge to constantly move can interfere with your ability to relax or fall asleep.

You may hear your healthcare provider call RLS restless leg syndrome or Willis-Ekbom disease”.3

Signs and Symptoms

What are common signs and symptoms of RLS?

In Restless Legs Syndrome: What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)? Common Signs and Symptoms of RLS the NINDS explain:

“People with RLS generally feel an irresistible urge to move, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in their legs. The sensations may feel like aching, throbbing, pulling, itching, crawling, or creeping. They less commonly affect the arms, rarely occur in the chest or head, and most often affect both sides of the body but can also affect only one side.

Common features of RLS include:

  • Symptoms after rest…
  • Relief of discomfort with movement…
  • Worsening of symptoms at night with a distinct symptom-free period in the early morning…”.4

Women

How common is RLS?

In Restless Legs Syndrome: What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)? Who Is More Likely To Have Restless Legs Syndrome? the NINDS explain:

“RLS can develop at any age, however it most often begins in middle age. The condition occurs in men and women but is more common in women”.5

Menopause and RLS

Is there an association between menopause and RLS?

On page two in Menopause and Insomnia: Causes – Restless Legs Syndrome the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“One study of RLS patients found 69 per cent of post-menopausal women perceived their symptoms as worse than before menopause. However, it is not clear whether restless leg syndrome contributes to sleep disturbance, or if women who are not sleeping well are more aware of the problem”.6

Look for A Pattern

Restless Legs SyndromeHow may I Look for A Pattern with RLS?

In RLS Monitor: How Do I Know If I Have RLS? the (United Kingdom) RLS-UK elaborate on:

“During a medical consultation there is limited time available and it can be hard to accurately look back and relay when our symptoms were at their worst. With this in mind, ‘My RLS Monitor’ has been developed, a seven-day tracker for symptoms to allow you to report your symptoms more comprehensively to your doctor and allow both you and your medical practitioner to spot patterns and/or to help compare these symptoms with previous monitoring and to help keep a track on medication”.7

Restless Legs Syndrome

In Diagnosis & Treatment: RLS Patient Symptom Diary the (United States) Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation elaborate on:

“Keep a log of your daily symptoms to identify conditions and patterns, to share with your healthcare provider”.8

Treatment

How is RLS treated?

In Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Management and Treatment – How Is Restless Legs Syndrome Treated? the Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Treatment for RLS may include taking medications or changing your routine at home to help relieve your symptoms. Some people may reduce their symptoms if they work with their healthcare provider to manage other underlying health conditions. You and your healthcare provider will discuss the treatment options that might be best for you, as well as any side effects to look out for”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I thinks I have RLS?

If you think you have RLS, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Restless Legs Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:

“Talk with your healthcare professional if you have symptoms of restless legs syndrome. RLS can interfere with your sleep, cause daytime drowsiness and affect your quality of life”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Restless Legs Syndrome?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Restless Legs Syndrome?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  19. Medications
  20. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
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  27. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [United States]
  28. PLMD [Periodic Limb Movement Disorder]
  29. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  30. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Restless Legs Syndrome
  31. RLS Monitor
  32. Restless Legs Syndrome
    Restless Legs Syndrome
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  37. Restless Legs Syndrome: Diagnosis & Treatment
  38. Restless Legs Syndrome: Self-Care Strategies for Mild RLS
  39. Rls-uk.org [RLS-UK [United Kingdom]
  40. Rls.org [Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, United States]
  41. Ropinirole HCL – Uses, Side Effects and More
  42. The Best Home Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome
  43. Understanding RLS

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Overview – What Is Restless Legs Syndrome? Cleveland Clinic. 11 September 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9497-restless-legs-syndrome Accessed: 26 June 2025
  2. Restless Legs Syndrome: What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RSL)? Last Reviewed: 07 April 2025. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome Accessed: 26 June 2025
  3. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Overview – What Is Restless Legs Syndrome? Cleveland Clinic. 11 September 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9497-restless-legs-syndrome Accessed: 26 June 2025
  4. Restless Legs Syndrome: What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RSL)? Common Signs and Symptoms of RLS? Last Reviewed: 07 April 2025. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome Accessed: 26 June 2025
  5. Restless Legs Syndrome: What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)? Who Is More Likely To Have Restless Legs Syndrome? Last Reviewed: 07 April 2025. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/restless-legs-syndrome-fact-sheet Accessed: 26 June 2025
  6. Menopause and Insomnia: Causes – Restless Legs Syndrome. Publication Date: September 2021:2. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/menopause-and-insomnia/ Accessed: 26 June 2025
  7. RLS Monitor: How Do I Know if I Have RLS? RLS-UK https://www.rls-uk.org/rls-monitor Accessed: 26 June 2025
  8. Diagnosis & Treatment: RLS Symptom Diary. National Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation https://www.rls.org/diagnosis-treatment Accessed: 26 June 2025
  9. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Management and Treatment – How Is RLS Treated? Cleveland Clinic. 11 September 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9497-restless-legs-syndrome Accessed: 26 June 2025
  10. Restless Legs Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: When To See A Doctor. Mayo Clinic. 25 February 2025 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168 Accessed: 26 June 2025
Topic Last Updated: 26 June 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 June 2025

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