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Epilepsy and menopause

  • Reproductive Medicine
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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Epilepsy and menopause have complicated interactions. Treatment of epilepsy may cause exacerbation of osteoporosis and alter the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) whereas HRT may influence the frequency of seizures.

Materials and methods

An extensive search was performed in the Cochrane Central Trials Registry, the Web of Science, and PubMed for publications using the keywords “(epilepsy OR Seizure) AND (menopause OR osteoporosis)”; “Anti-epileptic drugs AND (menopause OR osteoporosis); HRT AND epilepsy” between 1970 and 2010 and English language. All eligible trials were included.

Conclusion

The frequency of catamenial type of epileptic seizures may increase during perimenopause due to hyperestrogenism and subside after menopause. Sexual dysfunction can be severe depending upon the effect of lack of estrogen in menopause and epilepsy itself. Osteoporosis and fractures may increase due to hypoestrogenism in menopause and cytochrome P450 inducing anti-epileptic drugs. According to the current data, conjugated equine estrogens plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate may increase the frequency of epileptic seizures. Women with epilepsy may need to take HRT, at least for symptomatic relief and to allow adequate sleep when “hot flushes” are disruptive. A combination of a single estrogenic compound such as 17-β-estradiol along with natural progesterone could be considered in these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi Kadin Hastaliklari ve Dogum Anabilim Dali, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey

    Tamer Erel

  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Akademiler Sit. B/37, Zincirlikuyu, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey

    Onur Guralp

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Correspondence to Onur Guralp.

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Erel, T., Guralp, O. Epilepsy and menopause. Arch Gynecol Obstet 284, 749–755 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-1936-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-1936-4

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