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Change in seizure activity w/menopause or premenopause?
Prior to menopause I had been seizure free for 20 years. I have been on seizure medication since the age of six when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. At the age of 48 and premenopausal I started having seizures. Now ten years later post menopause I continue to have the seizures. Medication has not worked and hormone therapy has not worked. My seizures come almost every month and last for about 7-8 days and then they stop. I have tried different medications and even hormone replacement therapy and so far nothing has worked. I am wondering if there is anyone who has had or is having a similar experience dealing with a change in their seizure activity relating to premenopausal or menopausal. If so what have you tried, articles you may have read? My doctor is at a loss and has somewhat given up. I have read articles on Catamenial seizures however these do not apply to me. It's difficult to find any literature about this subject or possible solutions.
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Hi, @chigal10. I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this. Navigating hormonal changes while also managing your epilepsy is a lot to carry -- it's no wonder you're feeling drained by it all.
I've also added your conversation to the Epilepsy & Seizure support group so that perhaps others who have epilepsy can offer their advice on what worked for them.
It sounds like you're considering HRT to help balance your hormone levels since your epilepsy is sensitive to fluctuations -- is that right?
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1 ReactionHi @chigal10. Like you, I just turned 40 last month, had a hysterectomy in 2019 for dysmenorrhea, which was subsequent of severe endometriosis, am in menopause, started BHRT in October and have epilepsy! Aren't we lucky?!
So, my experience with HRT and epilepsy has been okay. However, as I stated above, I haven't been on HRT for very long and will be adjusting it or finding alternatives next month when I go to my follow up, as I believe it has begun causing me to have syncope (fainting) episodes as well as random vomiting. All the HRT I am on is bio-identical. I didn't want synthetic specifically because of my seizures. Whether that affects it or not is beyond me, but I just wanted a more natural approach. I am currently on the Lyllana estradiol patch 0.0375mg patch that I change out twice weekly. I also take 100mg of prometrium daily and I take testosterone cream as well. Honestly, I don't know how well they work for me because I have only noticed a slight decrease in some symptoms. What kind of seizures do you have? I have tonic-clonic seizures, so the fainting is nothing new to me unfortunately LOL. You definitely need to talk with your doctor about HRT because menopause and HRT can cause syncope in some people and you certainly don't want to feel worse if you can avoid it.
Your care team needs to work together to find a good solution for you and a good HRT because there are so many different forms of it out there on the market and we are all different. I wish you luck in your medical journey.
Ashley
Has anyone had new onset seizures at age 45, possibly coinciding with perimenopause? For the next 5 years my md has had a hard time a$justing meds due to hormonal fluctuations. Is this a crock? Or evidence based?
Hi @med951 !
I do not believe we have yet had the chance to interact directly.
Thank you for bringing up this subject. From discussions with both my neurologist and gynecologist, as well as my own research, hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can definitely trigger seizures.
Some years ago, a discussion was started here in our group about changes in seizures during perimenopause and menopause — you might find it interesting:
Change in seizure activity w/menopause or premenopause?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/menopause-and-changes-in-seizures/
Have you been diagnosed with catamenial epilepsy, s a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle?
Chris
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For men, it's andropause. Both perimenopause and andropause seem to be capable of affecting one's seizure (e.g. frequency or intensity) but I don't think there's any indication it will affect the probability of one getting epilepsy.
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