EPILEPSY AND POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME - COINCIDENCE OR CAUSALITY

Reproductive endocrine disorders such as the polycystic ovarian (PCOS) syndrome are common among women with epilepsy. This fact may be due t o epilepsy-related hypothalamic dysregulation or may be an effect of a ntiepileptic medication. We report on a hirsute epileptic woman with a history of chronic a menorrhoea as well as multiple follicular ovaria n cysts and elevated androgen levels, attributable to PCOS. This syndr ome, presumably underdiagnosed, is of clinical importance, since anovu latory cycles in PCOS do reduce fertility and may promote development of epileptic discharges. We consider antiseizure medication essential in preventing PCOS but suspect that treatment with valproate may incre ase the incidence of PCOS.