Premium
The Effect of Menopause and Perimenopause on the Course of Epilepsy
Author(s) -
Harden Cynthia L.,
Pulver Melissa C.,
Ravdin Lisa,
Jacobs Alan R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1999.tb02012.x
Subject(s) - menopause , medicine , epilepsy , hormone replacement therapy (female to male) , pediatrics , gynecology , psychiatry , testosterone (patch)
Summary:Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary information about the effect of menopause and perimenopause on the course of epilepsy, and to determine whether seizure type, use of hormone‐replacement therapy (HRT), or a history of catamenial seizure pattern would influence this course. Methods: We performed a questionnaire study of women with epilepsy currently in menopause and perimenopause, requesting information regarding the course of their epilepsy and treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by using Pearson X 2 with 95% confidence limits. Results: Forty‐two menopausal women (ages 41–86 years) responded. Twelve subjects reported no change in seizures at menopause, 17 reported a decrease in seizure frequency, and 13 reported an increase. Sixteen (38%) took synthetic HRT. Sixteen (38%) additional subjects (having some overlap with the HRT group) reported having a catamenial seizure pattern before menopause. HRT was significantly associated with an increase in seizures during perimenopause (p = 0.001). A history of catamenial seizure pattern was significantly associated with a decrease in seizures at menopause (p = 0.013). Thirty‐nine perimenopausal women (ages 38–55 years) responded. Nine subjects reported no change in seizures at perimenopause, five reported a decrease in seizure frequency, and 25 reported an increase. Eight (15%) subjects took synthetic HRT, and 28 (72%) reported having a catamenial seizure pattern before menopause. HRT had no significant effect on seizures; however, a history of catamenial seizure pattern was significantly associated with an increase in seizures at perimenopause (p = 0.02). Conclusions: These pilot data suggest that synthetic HRT may be associated with an increase in seizure frequency in menopausal women with epilepsy. A catamenial seizure pattern may be associated with seizure decrease during menopause but with an increase during perimenopause.