Women with epilepsy more likely to experience infertility

According to a new study, women with epilepsy are more likely to experience infertility. Epilepsy results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures.

The study, which followed 375 women with epilepsy for up to 10 years, determined that 38.4% failed to conceive, according to the lead author of the study Sanjeev Thomas, MD, of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Trivandrum, India, and colleagues.

Seven percent of women who took no drugs to treat their epilepsy had fertility problems, compared with 32% of those taking one drug, 41% of those taking two drugs, and 60% of those taking three or more epilepsy medications, the study shows.

The results support previous data that women with epilepsy have a higher-than-average danger of fertility troubles. They also suggest that women taking multiple anti-epilepsy drugs may be especially at risk.

“Our data show that WWE carry significant risk of infertility when they are exposed to polytherapy. Enzyme-inducing AEDs like PB (phenobarbital) have higher risk of infertility than other AEDs. Demographic factors such as age and educational status are also important predictors of infertility,” write the authors.

The researchers also note that women with epilepsy could have hormonal changes linked to to seizures that contribute to irregular menstrual cycles. Anti-seizure drugs have the potential to change the balance of reproductive hormones in the body. Polycystic ovary syndrome, for instance, is a common condition among epileptic women, particularly those taking valproic acid.

The research results are issued in the Oct. 12 print issue of the journal Neurology.