People assigned female gender at birth may worry about:

• How monthly hormonal changes may affect seizures
  • Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and androgens can influence the brain
    • Hormones can influence epilepsy and vice versa. Anti-seizure medications can also interact with hormones
  • Changes in how often seizures happen in relation to the menstrual cycle is called “catamenial epilepsy"
    • In some people, seizures occur most often just before or during the first few days of menstruation
  • Talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your seizures around your menstrual cycle
• How menopause may affect seizures
  • Menopause is the time of life when a person’s ovaries stop working, which may affect the balance of hormones. It usually occurs at around age 50
  • Hormonal changes may cause the amount of seizures to change (more or fewer seizures)
  • Symptoms that happen with menopause (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc) can be treated with hormonal therapies, which can affect seizures
  • Talk to your doctor about epilepsy and menopause to see if medication may need to be adjusted