Hormonal changes

Changes in hormones can have significant effects on seizures.

Gender related: 
• Females: some seizures are related to the menstrual cycle. These seizures tend to happen primarily before, during or after menstruation. Epilepsy in which seizures are related to the menstrual cycles is called “catamenial epilepsy”. Recognizing that the patient’s epilepsy is catamenial is important since there are some available therapeutic approaches that can be helpful for these types of seizures. Pregnancy and menopause are other moments in a woman’s life in which her body will undergo significant changes in hormones. During these times, seizures can at times get better or worse. 
• Males: puberty and changes in hormones can also play a role in epilepsy.