J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1995 Sep;13(3):551-558.

Clinical Characteristics of Female Epilepsy Patients with Cyclic Exacerbation Related to Menstruation

• Bang OY
• Kwak YT
• Park SC
• Lee BI

Abstract

The relationship of seizure and menstruation was investigated in me hundred thirty six female epileptic patients attending regularly to the Yonsei Epilepsy Clinic. Cyclic preponderance was accepted when more than 50% of total number of seizure occurred in one menstrual phase. Cyclic exacerbatim of seizur% during menstrual cycle occurred in 35%(48) of patients with 65% of them(23% of total patients) occuring during perimenstrual phase, consistent with catamenial epilepsy, 19% during midcyclic phase, and 8% each in early and late phase, respectively. Patients with focal neurologic deficit (p value <0. 05), perimenstrual tensim (p value <0.001), frequent seizure attack (p value <0.05), past history of delayed development (p value <0.05), electroencephalographic evidence of focal slowing (p value <0.01) had more cyclic exacerbation of seizure during perimenstrual, period. These patients also had poor response to anticonvulsants. These factors related with the cyclic exacerbation of seizure frequency should be considered for clinical approach to female epileptic patients.

MeSH Terms

Anticonvulsants
Epilepsy*
Female*
Humans
Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation*
Neurologic Manifestations
Seizures
Anticonvulsants