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Review
. 2016 May;34(2):411-25, ix.
doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

Issues for Women with Epilepsy

Naymeé J Vélez-Ruiz  1 , Page B Pennell  2
Affiliations
Review

Issues for Women with Epilepsy

Naymeé J Vélez-Ruiz et al. Neurol Clin. 2016 May.

Abstract

Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs affect the menstrual cycle, aspects of contraception, reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause through alteration of sex steroid hormone pathways. Sex steroid hormones often have an effect on seizure frequency and may alter the level of some antiepileptic drugs. Approximately one-third of women experience an increase in perimenstrual and/or periovulatory seizure frequency. Some women experience an increase in seizure frequency during pregnancy. Balancing maternal seizure control and the risk of congenital malformations associated with fetal antiepileptic drug exposure may be challenging. Some antiepileptic drugs are associated with cognitive and behavioral teratogenesis and should be avoided if possible during pregnancy.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs; Catamenial; Contraception; Epilepsy; Pregnancy; Women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Degree of induction of sex steroid hormones metabolism.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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