Do some women have cyclical seizures?
Some women may have a tendency for increased seizures related to the menstrual cycle. This is called “catamenial epilepsy”. Seizures occur most frequently just before menstruation, during the first few days of menstruation and at mid-cycle, during ovulation. Causes are not understood very well, but it may be the changes between the two female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, or the effects of these changes such as fluid retention. It is also possible that the levels of antiepileptic medication may decrease before menstruation.
