Epilepsy is a brain disorder affecting an estimated 50 million women worldwide. Seizure frequency significantly increases due to changes in hormone levels (progesterone and oestrogen). On the other hand, other studies suggest that seizure frequency may decrease when women’s reproductive capacity ends at menopause.
Despite these conflicting findings, evidence strongly suggests that hormonal changes can affect how older women manage their seizures, including medication. As an experienced general practitioner, we have assisted many epileptic patients in successfully navigating this challenging time. If you’re a woman in her late 40s and beyond, our renowned Gold Coast menopause clinic can provide useful, life-changing information.
This blog explains how hormonal changes in menopause can influence epilepsy, providing you with timely insight to help you enjoy your golden years.
Epilepsy Explained
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes an individual to have repeated seizures without a clear cause. A seizure occurs when the brain experiences a sudden surge of unusual electrical activity, temporarily affecting an individual’s movement, thoughts, or behaviour.
Seizures vary among individuals and manifest depending on the part of the brain that’s affected. For instance, a person may stare blankly for several seconds, while another experiences strange symptoms, such as tingling. On the other hand, other people lose awareness or experience muscle stiffness. In severe cases, a person may collapse and lose consciousness after an epileptic seizure.
The causes of epilepsy include:
- Brain injury from a trauma or a stroke.
- Brain infections.
- Genetic influences.
- Developmental factors.
- Brain abnormalities.
When treating menopausal women with epilepsy, we often recommend anti-seizure medications or lifestyle changes. Many of our patients live full, healthy lives with proper treatment.
If you’ve been experiencing epilepsy symptoms, particularly seizures with or without convulsions, consult your physician immediately.
Exploring the Link Between Women With Epilepsy and Menopause
Some epileptic women experience hormonal seizures, mainly due to high oestrogen levels. As a trusted women’s health specialist on the Gold Coast, we consider oestrogen a preconvulsant hormone, meaning it can stimulate electrical activity in the brain. For this reason, elevated oestrogen levels may directly lead to a seizure.
On the other hand, progesterone is an anticonvulsant hormone, meaning it helps stabilise abnormal brain activity. Oestrogen and progesterone levels shift during menstruation—lower progesterone levels can create a similar effect as elevated oestrogen, disrupting normal brain activity.
These hormones produce a significant effect on women with drug-resistant epilepsy. They can experience seizures as early as puberty and often become less frequent or disappear completely after menopause.
However, in our experience as an online women’s health service, each patient is unique, so your epileptic history is different from that of other menopausal women. In fact, some women may experience frequent seizures as they get older. It’s also important to note that hormonal levels also shift during and after pregnancy, so seizures could either increase or decrease during that phase.
Menopause and Epileptic Seizure Frequency
The link between menopause and menopause and epileptic seizure frequency has produced mixed results. While some studies suggest menopausal women experience fewer seizures, other findings reveal that women from that same age bracket experience worsening symptoms. On the other hand, other clinical evidence suggests some menopausal women experienced no significant changes.
In our experience as a menopause expert on the Gold Coast, we can relate these mixed findings to seizure type, menopausal age, existing health conditions, sleep issues, or mood disorders. For this reason, more research is needed to establish a stronger link between menopause and the frequency of epileptic seizures.
Perimenopause and Shifts in Seizure Patterns
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when women gradually produce less oestrogen and other reproductive hormones. It often begins when a woman reaches her late 30s or early 40s.
Hormonal changes during perimenopause can impact seizure patterns. Oestrogen increases glutamate, a brain chemical that stimulates nerve activity. Consequently, oestrogen’s brain-stimulating features can lead to an increased likelihood of seizures. On the other hand, progesterone produces an opposite, calming effect on the brain.
Perimenopausal women with epilepsy may experience more seizures due to their elevated or fluctuating oestrogen levels. Infrequent ovulation also decreases progesterone levels, making the likelihood of epileptic seizures higher.
Evidence suggests that epileptic women often experience more seizures during perimenopause, especially if their seizures are associated with their monthly periods. Hormonal shifts in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s may also lead to mood swings, sleeping issues, and aggressive seizure patterns.
In our practice as a menopause expert on the Gold Coast, we have treated perimenopausal women with unpredictable seizure patterns. This change can be more challenging to manage, especially if prescribed medication cannot treat epilepsy effectively. If you’re a perimenopausal woman with epilepsy, a local physician can help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Suggested Lifestyle Changes for Menopausal Women With Epilepsy
At Her Medical, our trusted menopause doctors on the Gold Coast often recommend lifestyle changes to relieve epilepsy symptoms and unpredictable seizure episodes. It’s important to note that hormonal shifts, sleep issues, and high stress levels can negatively affect seizure patterns. Following our prescribed lifestyle changes and medical treatment can prevent this scenario and significantly improve your quality of life.
Our recommended lifestyle changes include:
- Exercise: Our menopausal women who engage in regular, moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, or strength training, report improved memory, mood, and less frequent seizures. Guided exercises are often safe for epileptic menopausal women.
- Stress management: High stress levels can trigger epileptic seizures, which is why we recommend proven stress management techniques, such as yoga, deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. These strategies significantly reduce stress and anxiety, improving your overall well-being.
- Nutrition: Some diets, such as the ketogenic or low-glycaemic index diet, may benefit menopausal women with refractory epilepsy (a type of epilepsy that’s difficult to treat with medication). For other patients, we often recommend a well-balanced diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats) and plenty of water to help manage their epilepsy symptoms.
- Sleep: Not enough sleep can trigger epileptic seizures among menopausal women. As an experienced menopausal doctor on the Coast, we recommend sleeping 7 to 8 hours nightly to reduce this likelihood.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT can be beneficial for menopausal women with epilepsy because it addresses both stress management and emotional well-being, which can affect seizure frequency. This strategy also helps them improve sleep and manage mood changes, improving their overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the link between menopause and epileptic seizure frequency?
Findings on the link between menopause and seizure frequency have produced mixed results. While some studies suggest a lower frequency during menopause, others suggest more frequent episodes. More studies are needed to establish a stronger link between the two factors.
How can I manage my epileptic seizures during menopause?
As a trusted menopause doctor on the Gold Coast, we often prescribe medical treatment and lifestyle changes to manage epilepsy. Many of our patients have benefited from regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and CBT, significantly improving their well-being and quality of life.
Conclusion
Hormonal changes during menopause can affect epilepsy in some women. Shifting oestrogen and progesterone levels can affect brain activity and alter seizure patterns. It’s important to note that each woman’s experience is different; that’s why an experienced physician can tailor solutions that align with your unique situation.
You can successfully manage your epilepsy with Her Medical. Since 2021, we’ve been a menopause clinic on the Gold Coast that has helped numerous women improve their quality of life. Book an appointment to speak with one of our general practitioners today.