WOMENS ISSUES IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY

Background: The management of women with epilepsy involves a number of important issues including conception control, sexual dysfunction and fertility, the effect of seizures on the fetus, possible changes in s eizure frequency during pregnancy, potential teratogenic effects of an tiepileptic drugs and management issues during pregnancy. The primary goal in the treatment of women with epilepsy remains optimal seizure c ontrol in the absence of unacceptable adverse effects. The advantages and disadvantages of the new antiepileptic drugs in women remain to be fully established but these new agents allow a wider choice for impro ved seizure control.