Brief: Menstrual Cycle May Impact Epilepsy

Posted: April 12, 2006

The levels of seizure frequency in women with epilepsy might be influenced by their menstrual cycles, according to a recent study presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in San Diego.

According to Andrew Herzog, M.D., of the Harvard Neuroendocrine Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, women with epilepsy having a shorter or longer than normal menstrual cycle reduces ovulation. Herzog and his colleagues found evidence that lack of ovulation boosts the frequency of seizures.

"Ovulation rates are much lower among women with epilepsy than in the general population," Herzog said.

In the study, the average rate of seizure occurrence was every four days in ovulatory cycles and about every three days during cycles with no ovulation.

"These results support the hypothesis that seizure frequency is affected by ovulation and ovulation is correlated with cycle length," Herzog said.