Epilepsy is more common than one might think. Among women of childbearing age alone, one million live with this condition. How does epilepsy affect their reproductive health?
Dr. Gregory Matthews, a neurologist at Holy Cross Health, specializes in seizures and epilepsy. Here, he shares important information about epilepsy’s impact in this population of women.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition where people experience recurring seizures. A seizure is an electrical event in the brain that causes some sort of change in either perception or one’s ability to respond. In some cases, seizures can cause complete loss of consciousness.
“So, epilepsy is a broad term that includes all of these different kinds of seizure types, but it specifically means the person is susceptible to have seizures over the course of their life,” states Dr. Matthews.
There are many different causes of epilepsy, including a genetic component, injury or trauma, or a structural issue in the brain. While it affects men and women roughly equal, women have particular challenges with epilepsy. For example, the medications they take to control symptoms may impact their fertility. There are also concerns about how the medication could affect pregnancy or the developing fetus.
On top of that, additional issues exist. Women are more prone to bone loss and osteoporosis, and some medications might impact the likelihood of developing such a condition. “There are many ways in which women have to deal with epilepsy in a way that men don't have to,” adds Dr. Matthews.
Women with Epilepsy CAN Have Children
Not too long ago, in Dr. Matthews own professional lifetime, the recommendation was that women with epilepsy should not have children. One reason was the misperception that the condition would be passed down to the child. As mentioned, another key concern was that medications would negatively affect the fetus. Both are incorrect, but unfortunately have led many women to opt not to start a family or to lessen their medication adherence if they do become pregnant.
“Nowadays, we know that in women with epilepsy, there's a very slight increased chance of their offspring having epilepsy because there are some genetic predispositions towards epilepsy. But, it's a relatively minor thing compared to most other genetic conditions. It's really not something that is worth being overly concerned about, at least in my view,” notes Dr. Matthews.
He does stress that it’s absolutely crucial for women to stick to their medication regimen. It would be much worse to experience a seizure and suffer an injury or accident that could harm both mom and baby.
“I think the most important thing women can do for themselves and for their baby is to get their seizures controlled and to keep them controlled throughout their pregnancy,” he advises.
Why It’s Important to See a Seizure Specialist
Dr. Matthews’ approach with his female clients is to start the conversation about their reproductive goals early on—even when they’re in their teens. This ensures they have a deep understanding of what the future holds and different types of medications available. As a seizure specialist, he urges women living with epilepsy to explore family planning with someone like himself—not just a traditional OB/GYN.
“Sometimes you're not going to get the best advice and knowledge from a regular practitioner, even a neurologist who doesn't specialize in seizures. They may not feel comfortable with this process. So, one of the things you may want to do is look around for a seizure specialist. If you're thinking about starting a family in the next year or two, I think it’s good to say, ‘Maybe I need to meet with someone who does this all the time so they can give me some advice.’ The best prevention of problems is education and knowledge.”