Survey study, 1975
Are estrogen and progesterone levels different in women with seizures that occur before their period?
Yes, women with seizures before menstruation had significantly lower levels of progesterone metabolites, especially on days 1-2 before bleeding. Researchers suggest this may increase seizure risk, but the study is too small to be definitive.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 11 women whose epileptic seizures occurred on days 1-2 before menstruation and 7 women whose seizures were not dependent on the menstrual cycle. Researchers measured estrogen types and progesterone metabolites in 24-hour urine samples collected over three successive menstrual cycles.
What they found
In both groups, a significant decrease was observed in oestradiol and oestriol compared to normal values. Oestrone was only slightly lowered. A significant decrease in alpha pregnanediol was observed two days before menstruation (p less than 0.01). Pregnanetriol was decreased only in women whose seizures showed no temporal correlation with the menstrual cycle. Authors suggest that the observed reduction in progesterone metabolites was associated with increased seizure readiness of the brain on days preceding menstrual bleeding.
What it means for you
Progesterone breakdown may be abnormal in women with premenstrual seizures, possibly making the brain more prone to seizures. However, the sample is too small and the results too preliminary to draw firm conclusions about what causes this.
11
women with premenstrual seizures
3
menstrual cycles studied
p < 0.01
statistical significance for alpha pregnanediol
About the study
- Original title
- [Urinary excretion of estrogen fractions, alpha and beta pregnanediol and pregnanetriol in women with epileptic seizures during the premenstrual period]
- Authors
- Buntner B, Rościszewska D
- Journal
- Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska
- Year
- 1975
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 11
- What was tested
- None; this was observational research
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1171386/
Topics
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