Characterization of reproductive endocrine disorders in women with epilepsy

An increased frequency of reproductive endocrine disorders: has been report ed in women with epilepsy.. A possible role of the seizure disorder or, alt ernatively, of the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been suggested as the pathogenic mechanism. The aim of the present study was to assess the fr equency of reproductive endocrine disorders in a series of women with epile psy, examining the possible relationships of these disturbances with differ ent epilepsy syndromes and AED treatment. Fifty epileptic women, all of reproductive age and none pubertal, pregnant, or lactating, mere submitted to clinical endocrinological evaluation, horm onal assessment, and ovarian ultrasonography. Subjects with abnormal findin gs in this, preliminary study underwent additional evaluations. Reproductiv e endocrine disorders mere diagnosed in 16 (32%), consisting of polycystic ovary syndrome in:13, hypothalamic amenorrhea in 2, and luteal phase defici ency in I. There was no significant association of these disturbances with epilepsy type or AED treatment. Patients with reproductive endocrine disord ers often showed delayed ovulation with shortened luteal phase. The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of disordered ovulati on, in particular polycystic ovary syndrome, is increased in epilepsy, inde pendent of antiepileptic medications or type of seizure disorder.