Frequency of catamenial seizure exacerbation in women with localization-related epilepsy

Ann Neurol. 2004 Sep;56(3):431-4. doi: 10.1002/ana.20214.

Abstract

This investigation assessed the frequency of catamenial epilepsy in 87 women who charted seizures and menses during three cycles. Catamenial epilepsy designation was made if two of three cycles showed at least one of three previously defined catamenial patterns. Among ovulatory cycles, average daily seizure frequency was significantly greater during the perimenstrual and preovulatory phases. Among anovulatory cycles, average daily seizure frequency was substantially less during the midfollicular phase than during the remainder of the cycle. Overall, 39.1% of the women had catamenial epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Epilepsies, Partial / complications
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seizures / complications
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants