Survey study, 1980
Do seizures in women with epilepsy increase at certain times in the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women with epilepsy had significantly more seizures during the week before menstruation compared to the week after. In 58% of women, seizures increased during the premenstrual phase.
What they did
69 women with epilepsy kept daily diaries recording their menstruation and seizures from 1975 to 1978. Researchers analyzed data from 1237 complete menstrual cycles and 6900 recorded seizures to see if seizure patterns changed with cycle phases.
What they found
Seizure frequency increased significantly in the second half of the menstrual cycle, peaking on the first day of menstruation. During the 7 days before menstrual bleeding, 2137 seizures occurred compared to 1476 seizures in the 7 days after. Fifty-eight percent of women showed increased seizures during the premenstrual phase, 9% during menstruation, and 33% showed no correlation.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle affects seizure frequency in most women with epilepsy, likely due to hormonal changes. This was a substantial observational study over several years. However, it only followed women with epilepsy and the reasons for menstrual changes in seizure risk need further study.
69
women with epilepsy
2137
seizures in 7 days before menstruation
1476
seizures in 7 days after menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Analysis of seizure dispersion during menstrual cycle in women with epilepsy
- Authors
- Rościszewska D
- Journal
- Monographs in neural sciences
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 69
- What was tested
- None; observational diary study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000387521
Topics
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