---
title: Do hormone changes around menstruation cause seizures in women with epilepsy?
description: Yes. In 5 women with epilepsy, seizures happened around their period due to hormone changes. Low progesterone and high estrogen triggered seizures in 4 women.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/catamenial-epilepsy-gynecological-and-hormonal-implications-five-case-reports-1996/
---

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- Do hormone changes around menstruation cause seizures in women with epilepsy?

Case report, 1996

# Do hormone changes around menstruation cause seizures in women with epilepsy?

Yes. In 5 women with epilepsy, seizures happened around their period due to hormone changes. Low progesterone and high estrogen triggered seizures in 4 women. In 1 woman, lack of ovulation was the cause.

 Early or limited evidence

5 women with epilepsy whose seizures worsened around menstruation

## What they did

Case series of 5 women with epilepsy whose seizures happened around their menstrual cycle. Doctors measured hormone levels and epilepsy medication levels in the blood.

## What they found

Four women showed signs of premenstrual tension with low blood levels of their seizure medication and hormone imbalances matching when they had seizures. When their premenstrual symptoms were treated, their medication levels returned to normal therapeutic levels. The fifth woman did not ovulate. When given progesterone during the second half of her cycle, the frequency of her seizures improved.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle affects hormones in ways that can trigger seizures in women with epilepsy. Low progesterone and high estrogen around menstruation may make seizures more likely. Treating these hormone changes may help control seizures. This is based on only 5 women, so findings may not apply to all women with epilepsy.

5

women in the study

4

women with low progesterone and high estrogen

## About the study

Original title Catamenial epilepsy: gynecological and hormonal implications. Five case reports Authors Rodriguez Macias KA Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 1996 Study design Case report What was tested Hormone treatment (progesterone in 1 woman; treatment of premenstrual symptoms in 4 women) Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/09513599609097905](https://doi.org/10.3109/09513599609097905)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

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