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Women and girls with epilepsy have unique health concerns. As a result of these differences, women with epilepsy can face special challenges.
This includes issues relating to reproductive health, hormonal and menstrual cycles, contraception, bone health, parenting, menopause, and usage of certain anti-epileptic medications.
Our Women in Mind program includes resource kits which contain information specifically for women and girls living with epilepsy.
We also host lectures and highlight new developments and research about women’s health and epilepsy.
A list of our related Information Sheets, lectures, news alerts, research findings, and other useful sources of information are found below.
INFORMATION SHEETS
Hormones & Epilepsy in Women
Female hormones control many processes in the body. Their impact on brain cells can have implications on seizure frequency.
Special Concerns About Seizure Medications for Women
Different anti-epileptic medications can have different impacts on women as compared to men.
Special Concerns About Epilepsy for Teenage Girls
Puberty brings physical changes that may require adjustments in medication dosages and/or types, and the need for vitamin supplementation.
Epilepsy and Contraception
Certain seizure medicines can make some contraceptive methods less effective.
Epilepsy & Sexual Relationships for Women
It is not unusual for people to have sexual difficulties, and women and men with epilepsy are no exception.
Pregnancy & the Mother’s Health
Pregnancy could affect seizure frequency, may require changes in medications, and have other impacts on women with epilepsy.
Pregnancy & the Developing Child
Anti-epileptic medications could have potential risks on a developing child. The frequency and potential severity of these are discussed.
Parenting Concerns for the Mother with Epilepsy
Every prospective parent has to think through issues that could affect the safety of their baby. Included are some tips specifically for women with epilepsy.
Menopause & Epilepsy
Seizure frequency may change in some women as they go through menopause. There is also an increased risk of fractures.
Bone Health
Certain anti-epileptic medications could decrease bone density. This risk is higher in women.
LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
Issues for Women with Epilepsy
A recording of a lecture delivered on May 24, 2011 by Dr. Tiffany Townsend.
View Part 1
View Part 2
You can also view the Power Point slides.
WEB LINKS
Women Succeeding with Epilepsy
These online videos and articles profile women with epilepsy. They are inspiring stories about women in diverse circumstances.
Epilepsy Foundation eCommunities
The eCommunities offer the unique opportunity to interact with individuals affected by epilepsy from around the world through discussion forums. Some specific forums include Parents Helping Parents, Women and Epilepsy, Epilepsy at Work, and Poetry and Prose.
Ask the Expert Epilepsy Foundation Series
This series features experts answering questions of interest to women with epilepsy through an online question and answer forum. Topics include various health issues including: choosing effective therapies, mood disorders, living with epilepsy in college, medication use during pregnancy, parenting, how epilepsy manifests throughout the life span, and more.
The North American Anti-Epileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry
This is a research project established to determine the safety of seizure medications that can be taken by women during pregnancy. It is maintained out of Genetics and Teratology Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Women who enroll will be asked to provide information about the health status of their children in three short phone interviews. Any woman who is currently pregnant and is taking AEDs is strongly encouraged to enroll to help advance research on this topic.
RECENTLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH FINDINGS & NEWS ITEMS
Spring 2012
Comparative Safety of 11 Antiepileptic Drugs Used During Pregnancy
The North American Anti-Epileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry
April 2012
Obesity, Polycycstic Ovary Syndrome and Thyroid Dysfunction in Women in Epilepsy
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
April 2012
Patient Knowledge about Issues Related to Pregnancy in Epilepsy
Epilepsy and Behavior
March 2012
Predictors of Seizures During Pregnancy in Women with Epilepsy
Epilepsia
March 2012
PCDH19 Mutation in Japanese Females with Epilepsy
Epilepsy Research
March 2012
Prenatal Stress Promotes Development of Spasms in Infant Rats
Epilepsia: The Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy
February 2012
Keppra, Lamical May Cause Birth Defects Possibly Higher Than Thought
AdverseEvents Inc.
January 2012
Progesterone Reduces Perimenstrually Exacerbated Seizures in Some Women
Neurology Reviews
December 2011
Progesterone Therapy for Women with Epilepsy: Results of the Phase 3 NIH Progesterone Trial
Study funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH)
December 2011
Research Documents Seizure Trends in Women with Catamenial Epilepsy
American Epilepsy Society Abstract Finding
November 2011
The Lives of Women Living with Epilepsy in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean
October 2011
Neurologists' and Neurology Residents' Knowledge of Issues Related to Pregnancy for Women with Epilepsy
Epilepsy and Behavior
October 2011
The Effect of Topiramate Monotherapy on Bone Mineral Density and Markers of Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Premenopausal Women with Epilepsy
Epilepsia: The Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy
September 12, 2011
The Prescribing of Anti-Epileptic Drugs for Pregnant Australian Women
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
August 2011
The Impact of Marital Status on Epilepsy-Related Health Concerns
Epilepsy Research
August 2011
No Effect of Oral Contraceptives on the Metabolism of Levetiracetam
Epilepsy Research
August 2011
Maternal Reactions to a Child with Epilepsy: Depression, Anxiety, Parental Attitudes and Family Functions
Epilepsy Research
July 14, 2011
Variation of Seizure Frequency with Ovulatory Status of Menstrual Cycles
Epilepsia: The Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy
July 6, 2011
Gender and Drug Effects in Neuroimaging in Epilepsy
Epilepsia: The Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy
July 2011
Dose-dependent risk of malformations with antiepileptic drugs: an analysis of data from the EURAP epilepsy and pregnancy registry
The Lancet Neurology
July 2011
Obstetric outcome in women with epilepsy: a hospital-based, retrospective study
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
June 14, 2011
Fetal antiepileptic drug exposure: Motor, adaptive, and emotional/behavioral functioning at age 3 years
Epilepsy and Behavior
June 2011
Relationship of child IQ to parental IQ and education in children with fetal antiepileptic drug exposure
Epilepsy and Behavior
May 18, 2011
Newer-Generation Antiepileptic Drugs and the Risk of Major Birth Defects
Journal of the American Medical Association
May 2011
Lamotrigine and its N2-glucuronide during pregnancy: The significance of renal clearance and estradiol
Epilepsy Research
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