Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Hysterectomy reduce seizures??
Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:36Good morning ladies...
I like, many of you, have catamenial epilepsy. My seizures are completely controlled except for 1-7 days before I start my period. I have been on several different meds and several different combonations of meds for several years, but nothing works around the time of menstration.
I am 33 and a handfull of doctors have said because of the epilepsy, my baby making days are over. That is perfectly fine w/ me. Since I am no longer contemplating children there is no reason for me to continue to ovulate/ menstrate... especially since the menstration is the reason for the seizures I continue to have.
If I were to have a hysterectomy and didn't have to worry about menstration anymore, would there be a good chance that my seizure amount would reduce/ be eliminated?
If anyone has had any experiences or have comments/ suggestions/ ideas .... I would love to read them.
Many thanks to all!
Shakey Mom=> Omaha, NE
Comments
Re: Hysterectomy reduce seizures??
Submitted by cittauk on Tue, 2011-09-06 - 10:51
I had a hysterectomy 25 years or so ago but they left my ovaries in because I was so young. I have been through the menopause I did not have epilepsy until 8 years ago around the tail end of the menopause.Maybe it is just different in different people. I have secondary left temporal lobe epilepsy. I take Lamotrogine at he moment I am not seizure free meds getting raised slowly but seizures definitely lessening.
I had a hysterectomy 25 years or so ago but they left my ovaries in because I was so young. I have been through the menopause I did not have epilepsy until 8 years ago around the tail end of the menopause.Maybe it is just different in different people. I have secondary left temporal lobe epilepsy. I take Lamotrogine at he moment I am not seizure free meds getting raised slowly but seizures definitely lessening.
Re: Hysterectomy reduce seizures??
Submitted by FK on Sun, 2011-07-24 - 16:56
Hello Deborah,
Please recheck this data. It is not the progesterone, but the estrogen, that
facilitates seizures. In reality, it's likely the balance (or imbalance)
between the two. Either way, it is obvious that hormones have a direct
correlation with seizures. Be it a hysterectomy, menopause, or anything else
that may cause major hormonal changes in our systems, they can be very beneficial or
debilitating to our seizure conditions. There are some women whose seizures end at
menopause and others whose worsen (me being one). Some remain the same. There
is really no way to predict how a hysterecomy would effect one woman versus
another. The types of seizures and the AED's each woman is taking also likely
play a role, as they affect various hormones differently. I once had an ovary
and fallopian tube removed, which did not affect my seizures at all. However,
menopause reeked havoc on the number and severity of my seizures for a few
months.
Hello Deborah,
Please recheck this data. It is not the progesterone, but the estrogen, that
facilitates seizures. In reality, it's likely the balance (or imbalance)
between the two. Either way, it is obvious that hormones have a direct
correlation with seizures. Be it a hysterectomy, menopause, or anything else
that may cause major hormonal changes in our systems, they can be very beneficial or
debilitating to our seizure conditions. There are some women whose seizures end at
menopause and others whose worsen (me being one). Some remain the same. There
is really no way to predict how a hysterecomy would effect one woman versus
another. The types of seizures and the AED's each woman is taking also likely
play a role, as they affect various hormones differently. I once had an ovary
and fallopian tube removed, which did not affect my seizures at all. However,
menopause reeked havoc on the number and severity of my seizures for a few
months.