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Women and girls with epilepsy have unique health concerns. As a result of these differences, women with epilepsy can face special challenges.
This includes issues relating to reproductive health, hormonal and menstrual cycles, contraception, bone health, parenting, menopause, and usage of certain anti-epileptic medications.
Our Women in Mind program includes resource kits which contain information specifically for women and girls living with epilepsy.
We also host lectures and highlight new developments and research about women’s health and epilepsy.
A list of our related Information Sheets, lectures, news alerts, research findings, and other useful sources of information are found below.
INFORMATION SHEETS
Hormones & Epilepsy in Women
Female hormones control many processes in the body. Their impact on brain cells can have implications on seizure frequency.
Special Concerns About Seizure Medications for Women
Different anti-epileptic medications can have different impacts on women as compared to men.
Special Concerns About Epilepsy for Teenage Girls
Puberty brings physical changes that may require adjustments in medication dosages and/or types, and the need for vitamin supplementation.
Epilepsy and Contraception
Certain seizure medicines can make some contraceptive methods less effective.
Epilepsy & Sexual Relationships for Women
It is not unusual for people to have sexual difficulties, and women and men with epilepsy are no exception.
Pregnancy & the Mother’s Health
Pregnancy could affect seizure frequency, may require changes in medications, and have other impacts on women with epilepsy.
Pregnancy & the Developing Child
Anti-epileptic medications could have potential risks on a developing child. The frequency and potential severity of these are discussed.
Parenting Concerns for the Mother with Epilepsy
Every prospective parent has to think through issues that could affect the safety of their baby. Included are some tips specifically for women with epilepsy.
Menopause & Epilepsy
Seizure frequency may change in some women as they go through menopause. There is also an increased risk of fractures.
Bone Health
Certain anti-epileptic medications could decrease bone density. This risk is higher in women.
LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
Issues for Women with Epilepsy
A recording of a lecture delivered on May 24, 2011 by Dr. Tiffany Townsend.
View Part 1
View Part 2
You can also view the Power Point slides.
WEB LINKS
E-Action Newsletter
The 2013 Spring/Summer edition of this magazine features articles about issues that affect women with epilepsy.
Women Succeeding with Epilepsy
These online videos and articles profile women with epilepsy. They are inspiring stories about women in diverse circumstances.
Epilepsy Foundation eCommunities
The eCommunities offer the unique opportunity to interact with individuals affected by epilepsy from around the world through discussion forums. Some specific forums include Parents Helping Parents, Women and Epilepsy, Epilepsy at Work, and Poetry and Prose.
Ask the Expert Epilepsy Foundation Series
This series features experts answering questions of interest to women with epilepsy through an online question and answer forum. Topics include various health issues including: choosing effective therapies, mood disorders, living with epilepsy in college, medication use during pregnancy, parenting, how epilepsy manifests throughout the life span, and more.
The North American Anti-Epileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry
This is a research project established to determine the safety of seizure medications that can be taken by women during pregnancy. It is maintained out of Genetics and Teratology Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Women who enroll will be asked to provide information about the health status of their children in three short phone interviews. Any woman who is currently pregnant and is taking AEDs is strongly encouraged to enroll to help advance research on this topic.
RECENTLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH FINDINGS & NEWS ITEMS
May 2013
FDA news release warns against useage of valproate products during pregnancy
April 2013
Prenatal Valproate Exposure and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Childhood Autism
The Journal of the American Medical Association
March 2013
Antiepileptic drug treatment in pregnancy: Changes in drug disposition and their clinical implications
Epilepsia
March 2013
Fetal exposure to antiepileptic drug valproate impairs cognitive development
Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (NEAD) study results
February 2013
Are Newer Antiepileptic Drugs Associated with Improved Safety In Pregnancy Compared to Older Antiepileptic Drugs?
Epilepsy Currents
February 2013
Levetiracetam in Pregnancy: Results From the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers
Neurology
February 2013
Pregnant Women 'Unaware' of Epilepsy Drug Risks
BBC News London
January 2013
Exposure To Antiepileptic Drug In Womb Linked To Autism Risk
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
January 2013
Fetal antiepileptic drug exposure and cognitive outcomes at age 6 years (NEAD study): a prospective observational study
The Lancet Neurology
January 2013
Teratogenesis in repeated pregnancies in anti-epileptic drug treated women
Epilepsia
December 2012
Rate of Caesarean Section Only Slightly Higher Among Women With Epilepsy Taking Antiepileptic Medication
American Epilepsy Society presentation
December 2012
Neonatal Exposure to Antiseizure Drugs Disrupts Normal Development in Children
Epilepsy.com email newsletter - December 12
December 2012
Oxidative stress is increased in women with epilepsy: Is it a potential mechanism of anti-epileptic drug-induced teratogenesis?
Annuals of Indian Academy in Neurology
November 2012
Women living with epilepsy, experiences of pregnancy and reproductive health: A review of the literature
Seizure
November 2012
Recurrence risk of congenital malformations in infants exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero
Epilepsia
November 2012
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid increases the neural progenitor cell pool and induces macrocephaly in rat brain via a mechanism involving the GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway
Neuropharmacology
November 2012
The Anti-Epileptic Drug Valproic Acid (VPA) Inhibits Steroidogenesis in Bovine Theca and Granulosa Cells In Vitro
PLOS One
October 2012
Family Planning for Women with Epilepsy
Epilepsy.com
October 2012
Frequently Asked Questions on Epilepsy, Pregnancy and Lactation: A EURAP-NL Report
Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy
September 2012
Pregnancy Complications and Outcomes in Women with Epilepsy
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
August 2012
Teratogenesis in Repeated Pregnancies in Antiepileptic Drug-Treated Women
Epilepsia
August 2012
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Patients with Epilepsy
Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy
August 2012
Progesterone Therapy for Women with Epilepsy - Is This a Viable Option?
Epilepsy Therapy Project
July 2012
Risk Perception and Medicines Information Needs in Pregnant Women with Epilepsy - A Qualitative Study
Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy
June 2012
Progesterone vs. Placebo Therapy for Women with Epilepsy
Neurology
May 2012
Predictors of Seizures During Pregnancy in Women with Epilepsy
Epilepsia
May 2012
Pregnancy, Contraception Data Highlighted in Epilepsy Registry
Elsevier Global Medical News
Spring 2012
Comparative Safety of 11 Antiepileptic Drugs Used During Pregnancy
The North American Anti-Epileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry
April 2012
Obesity, Polycycstic Ovary Syndrome and Thyroid Dysfunction in Women in Epilepsy
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
April 2012
Patient Knowledge about Issues Related to Pregnancy in Epilepsy
Epilepsy and Behavior
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