There are a growing number of women with epilepsy who are recognising the importance of understanding those aspects of health which only affect women, and doctors are beginning to be asked more specific questions by women.
Some women do find that seizures seem to occur just before their period or during it.
The majority of women who do find that their menstrual cycle affects their seizure pattern, find that they may have seizures at any time, but they are more common around the time of menstruation. It is still not clear why this happens. It may be due to the changes in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which determine the bodily changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Some women may benefit from taking additional medication in the week preceding their menstrual period and they should discuss this option with their doctor. Polycystic ovaries, which may give rise to irregular or infrequent periods and weight gain, are more common in women with epilepsy, particularly if sodium valproate is being taken.