Both men and women may notice a cyclical pattern to their seizures. Record seizures on a calendar and track them in relation to any changes in hormones. Women who are having menstrual cycles, should track their cycle days. Women who have stopped having their menses should track other symptoms or changes, while women who are pregnant should track their pregnancy too. The use of hormonal medicines, such as contraceptives or birth control pills as well as hormonal replacement therapy, may affect seizures in some women, so record the dates and doses of these medicines. NOTE: some seizure medicines may interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives making unexpected or unplanned pregnancy more likely. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all contraceptive use.

When seizures cluster around menses or hormone changes, women should try to modify their lifestyle so other triggers don't occur during this high-risk time. Some women may use 'as needed' medicines to help treat seizures associated with menses. Note the use of these on your calendars and seizure preparedness plan.

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Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed: 9/30/08