title: Treatment of women with epilepsy.
abstract: Epilepsy is equally prevalent in men and women. However, for women there are unique concerns related to hormone effects on seizures and the effects of seizures and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on reproductive health. Steroid hormones affect neuronal excitability and seizure frequency. Some AEDs reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptive agents, increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies. AEDs affect bone density. AEDs may alter reproductive hormones resulting in polycystic-appearing ovaries, anovulatory cycles, and infertility. Seizure frequency may change during pregnancy, seizures may cause pregnancy complications, some AEDs are teratogenic, and many cross into breast milk. The treatment of a woman with epilepsy must consider all these issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pack
authors.forename: Martha J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Morrell
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013723:Teratogens; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013723:Teratogens