Epilepsy and women
Director:
Olgica Laban-Grant, MD
Program description:
The Women’s Health and Epilepsy Program was uniquely designed with female patients in mind. Women with epilepsy often face special challenges, including reproductive health issues (contraception, fertility, pregnancy, fetal health, and endocrine abnormalities), bone health and social issues (relationships, physical appearance, parenting, and independence). Women with epilepsy may experience a special form of epilepsy called catamenial epilepsy. In catamenial epilepsy seizures worsen in relation to the menstrual cycle. Fluctuations in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) during the menstrual cycle are responsible for fluctuations in seizure frequency. Endocrine treatment of seizures or changing doses of anti-seizure medications throughout the menstrual cycle may be an effective treatment option that the epileptologist and patient can consider.
Our group of epilepsy specialists works closely with general and high-risk obstetricians, pediatricians, gynecologists, and endocrinologists to provide comprehensive care to women with epilepsy through all stages of a women’s life – adolescence, child-bearing years, pregnancy, menopause, and the post-menopausal period.