Treatment of Women With Epilepsy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides the latest information to guide practitioners in counseling and treating women with epilepsy.

RECENT FINDINGS: There is an increasing body of literature on the multidirectional effects of sex hormones on seizure frequency and severity and of seizures altering areas of the brain involved in neuroendocrine function. Ongoing pregnancy outcome data from pregnancy registries and meta-analysis of observational studies have provided key information on the safety of using antiseizure medications during pregnancy and the risk to the fetus.

SUMMARY: In treating and counseling women with epilepsy from puberty to menopause, it is important to understand the complex interactions of sex hormones, seizures, and antiseizure medications on reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes.