Cohort study, 1991
Do seizures increase during the premenstrual period in women with epilepsy?
Yes. A study of 80 women with epilepsy found significantly more seizures in the premenstrual period (p<0.001) compared to other times of the cycle.
What they did
80 women with chronic epilepsy, aged in their reproductive years, had weekly EEG recordings and seizure monitoring over 30 months. Brain imaging (CT scans) was performed in 57 women. Researchers tracked when 5630 seizures occurred across 579 menstrual cycles.
What they found
There was a significantly higher incidence of seizures in the premenstrual period (p<0.001). Women with 11 or more years of disease showed greater premenstrual seizure increase than those with 10 or less years. Women with abnormal CT scans or abnormal EEGs had more premenstrual seizures. Age and baseline seizure frequency did not influence premenstrual seizure patterns.
What it means for you
Female hormones appear to affect seizure risk during the menstrual cycle, particularly in women with underlying brain changes visible on imaging or EEG. This does not apply to women without epilepsy or underlying brain pathology.
80
women with epilepsy studied
5630
seizures recorded
p < 0.001
premenstrual seizure increase
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual seizure increase: influence of age, duration of disease, seizure frequency, previous complaint of perimenstrual accentuation, EEG and CT scan findings
- Authors
- Gueirreiro CA, Ramos MC
- Journal
- Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 80
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x1991000100004