Sodium valproate-induced menstrual disturbance in young women.
Two young girls with epilepsy presented with menstrual disturbances whilst on treatment with sodium valproate. On withdrawing valproate therapy, period cyclicity returned to normal in both individuals. An exaggerated luteinising hormone response to parenterally administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone was present in both subjects. The temporal relationship between normalisatin of periods and stopping the sodium valproate suggests that this drug may possibly affect the control of the menstrual cycle through a GABAergic mechanism.
University Department of Medicine, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
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Jones
D000293:Adolescent; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014635:Valproic Acid; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine