Gynecologic Management of Adolescents and Young Women With Seizure Disorders: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 806.

Gynecologic Management of Adolescents and Young Women With Seizure Disorders: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 806. Obstet Gynecol. 2020 May;135(5):e213-e220 Authors: Abstract Seizure disorders frequently are diagnosed and managed during adolescence; therefore, obstetrician-gynecologists who care for adolescents should be familiar with epilepsy and other seizure disorders, as well as antiepileptic drugs. Patients diagnosed with seizure disorders during childhood may have increased seizure activity with puberty and menarche due to the neuroactive properties of endogenous steroid hormones. Compared with patients without epilepsy, patients with epilepsy are more likely to experience anovulatory cycles, irregular menstrual bleeding, and amenorrhea. Although hormonal suppression should not be initiated before puberty or menarche, prepubertal counseling may be appropriate, and obstetrician-gynecologists may work with young patients and their families to develop a plan to initiate with menarche. Additionally, obstetrician-gynecologists should be aware of any medication changes, including antiepileptics, for adolescent patients with seizure disorders. Research on hormonal therapy for the treatment of epilepsy is scant; however, the anticonvulsant properties of various progestins have been explored as potential treatment. There is no conclusive evidence that combination hormonal contraception increases epileptic seizures, and epilepsy itself po...
Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology - Category: OBGYN Tags: Obstet Gynecol Source Type: research