Interactions between hormones and epilepsy in female patients.
Epilepsy and epileptic seizures may influence the release of hormones from the hypothalamus and the pituitary. After complex-partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, serum prolactin increases in about two thirds of cases. Apart from this transient effect, interictal epileptic discharges from the temporal lobe may exert a prolonged influence on hormone release. Changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency and increased prolactin levels have been reported. As a consequence, menstrual cycles may be disturbed. The cyclic change of sex serum hormones during the ovulatory menstrual cycle may have an impact on seizure occurrence during the days of ovulation and/or menstruation (e.g., catamenial seizures). By a supplementation of progesterone during the second half of anovulatory cycles, a decrease of seizure frequency can be achieved.
Bauer
J
J
Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Sigmund Freudstr. 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. juergen.bauer@ukb.uni-bonn.de
D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone