---
title: How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and seizures in women with epilepsy?
description: Women with epilepsy experienced mood changes and more seizures during the early follicular phase, not the typical late luteal phase. This suggests they have a
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mood-variations-and-personality-traits-in-patients-with-epilepsy-over-the-course-2020/
---

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- How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and seizures in women with epilepsy?

Cohort study, 2020

# How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and seizures in women with epilepsy?

Women with epilepsy experienced mood changes and more seizures during the early follicular phase, not the typical late luteal phase. This suggests they have a different menstrual-related symptom pattern.

 Early or limited evidence

22 women with epilepsy and 9 control women

## What they did

22 women with epilepsy and 9 control women had psychiatric interviews, brain wave tests (EEG), and gynecological exams to track mood and seizure patterns across their menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Women with epilepsy scored higher on depression and had more neuroticism and self-isolation traits. They had more PMS symptoms and seizures during the early follicular phase (seizures in 40.6% of this phase, EEG abnormalities in 34.8%), unlike controls who showed typical late luteal symptoms.

## What it means for you

Women with epilepsy may experience a different type of menstrual-related syndrome with symptoms in a different phase, which affects seizure activity. This was a small study in a specific population.

22

women with epilepsy

40.6%

seizure frequency in early follicular phase

34.8%

EEG abnormalities in early follicular phase

## About the study

Original title Mood variations and personality traits in patients with epilepsy over the course of their menstrual cycle Authors Huerta-Franco MR, Ulloa-Aguirre A, Gerónimo AL et al. Journal Epilepsy & behavior : E&B Year 2020 Study design Cohort study What was tested None - this was an observational study, not a treatment trial Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106990](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106990)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Borderline personality disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bpd/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

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