Interactions between hormones and epilepsy in female patients.

Epilepsy and epileptic seizures may influence the release of hormones from the hypothalamus and the pituitary. After complex-partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, serum prolactin increases in about two thirds of cases. Apart from this transient effect, interictal epileptic discharges from the temporal lobe may exert a prolonged influence on hormone release. Changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency and increased prolactin levels have been reported. As a consequence, menstrual cycles may be disturbed. The cyclic change of sex serum hormones during the ovulatory menstrual cycle may have an impact on seizure occurrence during the days of ovulation and/or menstruation (e.g., catamenial seizures). By a supplementation of progesterone during the second half of anovulatory cycles, a decrease of seizure frequency can be achieved.