REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH EPILEPSY

Past research has indicated that women with epilepsy may be at risk for reproductive health dysfunction, including menstrual irregularity, anovulation, polycystic ovaries, decreased fertility, and disturbances in basal and pulsatile release of gonadotrophin and ovarian steroid hormones. This proposed study will define reproductive health risks for women with epilepsy and determine the relative contribution of: epilepsy syndrome, seizure frequency and type, and individual antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used in monotherapy treatment. Subjects include females with epilepsy ranging in age from 18-40. Reproductive function will be assessed by three short monthly blood draws to test serum progesterone, menstrual cycle mapping for three cycles, one all day blood draw to test LH pulsatility, as well as baseline hormone values, and one ovarian ultrasound on the same visit as the 8-hour blood draw.