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Epilepsy is a common disorder that affects about 0.5% to 1% of the United States population at any given time, of whom close to half are female.1,2 In women, from puberty to menopause, and especially during pregnancy, epilepsy presents particular challenges to physicians and other health-care providers. Surprisingly, many physicians and other health-care providers are incompletely aware of the special issues faced by women with epilepsy. For example, according to two published surveys of health-care professionals, most respondents did not understand the effects of endogenous steroid hormones on the seizure threshold, nor were most of them aware that epilepsy in women is associated with an increased incidence of sexual and reproductive disorders.3,4 One survey found that 71% of respondents were aware that enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives,4 but the other noted that most respondents could not identify which AEDs interfere with oral contraceptives.3 Both reports emphasized the importance of aggressive educational initiatives to close these gaps in the knowledge of American clinicians who treat women with epilepsy, so that their female patients may receive suitable counseling and optimal treatment regimens.3,4 We believe that this supplement is a step in that direction.
The particular needs of women with epilepsy at each stage of their reproductive lives reflect complex interactions of many physiologic processes. Fortunately, research into the intricate interplay among various relevant factors that affect women …
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