Epilepsy Talk
Is there a connection between seizures and hormones? | January 28, 2024
Many women with epilepsy have asked their doctors about the connection between seizures and hormones. But not every woman has seen her concerns given the attention she’d hoped for.
Although it is not very well understood at this point, there are scientifically documented connections between seizures and hormones that not all physicians are educated about.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical substances formed in organs and glands that travel through your body and through your bloodstream.
They control muscle growth, heart rate, hunger, the menstrual cycle and many other functions.
They generally don’t cause seizures, but can influence their occurrence.
Some women with epilepsy experience changes in their seizure patterns when their hormones are fluctuating.
There’s a dynamic relationship between hormones, brain function, and seizures.
The brain is the seat of the body’s hormones and regulates the release of the major sex hormones — estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
These hormones, in turn, provide feedback to the brain and control the amount of hormones released at different points in time.
Research has shown that seizure discharges in certain brain areas can alter the output of hormones from the brain, and sex hormones can influence how the brain works.
For example, estrogen has been shown to increase seizure activity, while progesterone can have anti-seizure effects.
Seizures that are most likely to be affected by hormonal changes are partial seizures that involve the temporal or frontal lobes of the brain.
However, hormonal associations may also be seen with generalized seizures.
The temporal and frontal areas of the brain are closely connected to the hypothalamus and pituitary glands of the brain, which control the release of hormones.
Seizure activity may influence levels of hormones in the body, and the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body can affect seizures.
And even though not all seizures are caused by hormones, they still can influence their frequency.
Is there a connection between seizures and hormones?
Yes.
Hormones are crucial systemic players and act at different sites of the entire body, including the brain.
The brain is not only the target of hormone action, but also serves as the “conductor” of the “neuro-endocrine symphony”.
Changes in neuronal activity, such as seizures in people with epilepsy, may affect hormonal regulation and secretion.
In turn, hormones modify susceptibility to develop seizures.
Also, antiepileptic drugs and hormones can have a direct interaction.
Hormones may alter seizure threshold, change the frequency and severity of seizures.
Are all seizures caused by hormone changes?
No.
Hormones generally do not cause seizures but can influence their occurrence.
For example, puberty is a time when hormones are stimulating body changes.
It is not unusual for certain kinds of seizures to disappear at puberty, while other seizure disorders may start at this time.
Many women with epilepsy see changes in the number or the pattern of their seizures around the time of ovulation (mid-cycle), or just before and at the beginning of their menstrual periods.
This condition is called “catamenial epilepsy.”
What do the sex hormones do?
Sex hormones have several functions…
Primarily, they control and maintain our reproductive systems.
They also have an influence on muscle mass, bone strength, emotions, and behavior.
In fact, sex hormones begin to influence brain function before birth, as early as a month or two after conception!
Research shows that the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, act on certain brain cells, including those in the temporal lobe, a part of the brain where partial seizures often begin.
Estrogen excites these brain cells and can make seizures more likely to happen.
In contrast, natural progesterone can inhibit or prevent seizures in some women.
Findings also indicate that women who have seizures coming from the temporal lobe often have more reproductive disorders.
They may include: polycystic ovaries, early menopause and irregular (or no) ovulation.
How do I find out if I have hormone-related problems?
Women who have special concerns about seizures and hormones should obtain a referral to a specialist, either a neurologist or a neuroendocrinologist (a neurologist with training in hormone disorders and their effects on brain function).
If you suspect that hormones play a role in your seizures, talk to your physician or the nurse who helps monitor your seizures.
Blood tests of certain hormone levels and of your seizure medication may provide helpful information.
Additional tests, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may also be recommended to rule out other causes for menstrual irregularities.
Some suggestions:
1. Request a referral to a specialist. Some family doctors aren’t educated about the link between hormonal imbalances and seizures. A specialist will be better equipped to handle your concerns.
2. Track your seizure patterns. Many patients suspect a hormonal link to their seizures, but haven’t tracked the occurrences of those seizures. Keep a monthly log and track the date, time, length and frequency of your seizures.
3. Consider any recent hormonal changes. Before visiting a specialist, look for any hormonal patterns on your seizure log. This may include increased seizure frequency before your menstrual cycle or with the onset of menopause.
4. Pay attention to times of stress. Experiencing stress can trigger hormonal imbalances in your body. Chart times of stress and their effect on your seizures.
5. Explore treatment options. Although experimental, there are options for treating seizures caused by hormonal imbalances. Women can take progesterone supplements to reduce seizures. Also, some women find success by undergoing a hysterectomy, which eliminates the menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalance.
Awareness of how hormones can relieve or exacerbate seizure frequency and severity, as well as of how seizures and epilepsy may significantly affect reproductive and sexual function by interacting with hormone secretion and metabolism is key.
And identifying hormonal influences on seizure patterns may lead to a better understanding of treatment options for seizure control, which is important for optimal seizure management throughout a woman’s life.
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Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/your-changing-hormones#1
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/living-epilepsy/women/hormones-puberty-and-menstruation
https://mnepilepsy.org/hormonal-issues-in-women-with-epilepsy/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059131115000400
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2818554/
14 Comments »
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About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
Yes, hormones definitely effect Everything that goes on in our bodies and brains. I have finally been diagnosed with Hashimotos after 5 years of worsening health and seizures. All this time I was basically told to go away and get on with it. Doctors know very little about all the interactions and most people are undiagnosed and unfairly treated by the medical profession. In the UK they are anyway. There are forums with literally hundreds of lost and very poorly people, mostly women sad to say, who are undiagnosed and/or ignored and told they’re depressed or hysterical etc. There are petitions to sign and people are starting to get very angry about these matters. It’s serious stuff that effects the quality of life and needs much more research. I suppose there’s no money in it though hey? Doctor’s mainly know about drugs, the ones that the pharmaceutical companies push, and little about the intricacies of hormonal problems and how everything effects everything else.
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Comment by chezzal — January 28, 2024 @ 11:58 AM
oh yes there’s woman hormones cause seizures. I was asked to visit a woman after my surgery. At graduate hospital phila. She was being tested to see if she could have surgery. The lady came home early cause there was no seizure activity to document. They brought her back to the hospital the week of her cycle to document her seizure activity. I never found out how she made out cause of privacy. This was back in 1987 when there where no cells lap tops and we still had a form of privacy.
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Comment by Mark — January 28, 2024 @ 12:01 PM
In my case, definitely a connection, not just with the hormones my system produces but with synthetic hormones. Prednisone gets me every time. I suspect any systemic hormone has the potential to activate seizures.
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Comment by HoDo — January 28, 2024 @ 2:18 PM
Hi HoDo, I’ve just looked up the list of side effects and interactions with Prednisone – it’s a very long list… unbelievable. Hope you’re doing better now!
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Comment by chezzal — January 28, 2024 @ 3:00 PM
Generally, when a woman has seizures around her cycle, it’s not irrelevant, it’s usually Catamenial Epliepsy.
This is seizure activity associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Studies have shown that fluctuations in female hormones prior to and during menstruation may elevate seizure frequency in some women.
In a small percentage of women, catamenial seizures may occur only during the days just before their periods; for others, during the period itself.
Higher ratios of estrogen to progesterone may increase seizure frequency.
Water retention, electrolyte imbalance, and even poor sleep are also contributing causes.
The connection between menstruation and seizures has been demonstrated in women with simple partial, complex partial, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
However, different types of seizures may be associated with different phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
For example, a women with absence seizures may have more seizures during days 16 to 28 of her average cycle and may have the least during her period.
A women with partial seizures, on the other hand, tends to have fewer seizures during days 16 to 28 and more just prior to ovulation and during menstruation.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 28, 2024 @ 2:55 PM
Over the past many years (43yrs) since I hit puberty – I found out that estrogen excited my seizures and progesterone inhibited the seizures, but the neurologists weren’t aware of that. I had discovered that I had Catamenial epilepsy, and I was hoping that it would stop when I reached Menopause and my menstrual cycle stopped completely. But no luck – the seizures have continued. Mainly focal or absence seizures?! The levels of hormones have never been measured.
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Comment by Keri Teavae — January 28, 2024 @ 9:16 PM
Having your hormones checked by a real rooting, tooting endocrinologist, may go a long way to helping you.
Perhaps you need a supplement, perhaps hormone therapy. I put a lot of faith in endocrinologists, they know what neuros will never know in a lifetime.
And to be fair, that’s their job.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 28, 2024 @ 9:31 PM
I think you’re right on the money about seeing a ‘rooting tooting’ endocrinologist Phylis. They are the experts in hormonal problems and can get to the bottom of any links there could be with seizure issues. Unfortunately I have still not seen one, though I have had many problems with my endocrine system over the years. In my local area there is lots of trouble even getting to see a GP on a regular basis. I have tried to find a private endocrinologist but unbelievably there aren’t any listed here! I think I’ll have to go to a different area and see what I can do to get help😔. It’s a bad situation and must affect many people. Oh well, keep on trucking and trying 🤞!
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Comment by chezzal — January 29, 2024 @ 7:17 AM
Find a Doctor by Metro Area or State
https://health.usnews.com/doctors/location-index/endocrinologists
Best Hospitals for Diabetes & Endocrinology
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/diabetes-and-endocrinology
Best Endocrinology endocrinologists: TOP 368 doctors
https://us-uk.bookimed.com/doctors/direction=endocrinology/
I can vouch for the top two from US World & News Report. They’re a predominant source of information, highly regarded in all the world.
The 3rd one is a crap, shoot.
Good luck!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 29, 2024 @ 9:08 AM
Thank you Phylis… I’m in the UK but will hopefully find a ‘Private’ endocrinologist in a different area/location.
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Comment by chezzal — January 30, 2024 @ 5:18 AM
Another good reference:
World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2021 –Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-best-specialized-hospitals-2021/endocrinology
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 29, 2024 @ 9:11 AM
Thank you 🙏
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Comment by chezzal — January 30, 2024 @ 5:20 AM
after nearly 50 years neuros can’t work out the cause of my epilepsy but years ago I learnt by myself I had catamenial epilepsy, asked my very bad tempered male neuro, he yelled me out of his room, Female fantasies don’t waste my time, but I knew I was right, and as my periods were always four weeks and my seizures happened the week before with PMS I could plan ahead for important things like holidays. After menopause those wretched seizures happen whenever they want
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Comment by Gail Barry — February 6, 2024 @ 5:33 AM
I hate to sound chauvinistic, but sometime, male neuros ave their heads up their asses.
Especially when it comes to female issues.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — February 6, 2024 @ 8:19 AM