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Women and epilepsy
Questions from healthcare professionals
Q: What services or help are available for women with epilepsy who become pregnant?
A: There is a service specifically set up to support women with epilepsy who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant: the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register. You can access this service through their website www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk (opens in a new window) or call them on their freephone number 0800 389 1248. They can provide information and support.
Some hospitals may have join obstetric and neurology services, and you can find out if these services are available at your local hospitals by contacting them directly.
Some neurology services have epilepsy specialist nurses working within them as part of the medical team. You can find out whether specialist nurses are available by contacting the hospitals directly. Some epilepsy nurses are also members of the Epilepsy Specialist Nurses Association (ESNA) and you can find out more details from their website: www.esna-online.org.uk (opens in a new window)
Women with epilepsy are also welcome to access NSE's information and support services through this website, the online forum and the epilepsy helpline (01494 601 400).
You can also find out more about issues for women with epilepsy within the 'articles' section of this website.
July 2010
Q: Is it true that pregnant women with epilepsy are no longer to be given 20mg of Vitamin K from 36 weeks? What is the reason for this?
A: There are guidelines on the use of Vitamin K for pregnant women within the SIGN epilepsy guidelines (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines at: http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign70.pdf) and the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence at http://www.nice.org.uk/CG20). You can also find out more about management of women with epilepsy through pregnancy from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register at www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk.
February 2010
Q: What methods of contraception are appropriate for a patient taking lamotrigine?
A: You can find information about contraception in the chapter on Epilepsy and women (pdf) from the publication ‘Epilepsy 2007: From Cell to Community, A Practical Guide to Epilepsy’.
January 2009
Q: Where can I find information on catamenial epilepsy, and its implications for women with learning disabilities?
A: You can find out more in our articles section under Special groups. This includes chapters on both women with epilepsy and people with learning disabilities
November 2007
Q: Is it possible for a newly born child to suffer bruising as a result of the mother taking Tegretol during pregnancy?
A: These are probably unrelated.
September 2005
Q: Can patients with catamenial epilepsy, now with menopausal symptoms, take an oestrogenic herbal supplement, e.g. red clover or black cohosh?
A: Yes, this can be done.
May 2005
Q: I have been asked to suggest a suitable and safe contraceptive method for a young woman with epilepsy and learning disabilities. In my opinion a Mirena IUD would be a good choice, however the mother claims that inserting the IUD could provoke seizures. Do you know of any cases where the insertion of Mirena really induced seizures or is that only theoretical?
A: In the British National Formulary, under intra-uterine contraceptive devices, it lists as a side-effect: 'on insertion...occasionally epileptic seizure'. We have not been aware ourselves, of any cases where the insertion of Mirena induced seizures. However, if for example a person’s seizures were triggered by stress, and they found the insertion procedure stressful, it could then potentially trigger a seizure.
April 2005
Q: I have read the recommendation of not giving pethidine in labour. What do you do if a woman is unable to utilise pain relief from TENS, or the administration of an epidural is not successful and she is in undue pain?
A: Some authorities believe that pethidine may potentially be convulsant, but we are not aware of clear evidence to support this. If there is not a viable alternative to pethidine and the decision is made to use it, it is important that regular AEDs are being given and that IV lorazepam and phenytoin are to hand.
March 2005
Q: Can you tell me about the interactions between the Depo Provera contraceptive and AEDs?
A: The contraceptive Depo Provera can be made less effective by AEDs. Guidelines state that it should be given every 10 to 12 weeks. Specific advice relating to an individual person’s AEDs and contraception can be obtained from the pharmacist or GP. There is more information about AEDs and contraception in our articles section under Epilepsy and women.
October 2004
Q: What is catamenial epilepsy?
A: Catamenial epilepsy is when seizures only occur immediately prior to or during menstruation.
March 2004
Please note: Epilepsy Society is unable to provide a medical opinion on specific cases. Responses contain information relating to the general principles of investigation and management. Answers are not, and should not be assumed to be, direct medical advice.
