Some important facts for women with epilepsy

This information is aimed at prisoners with epilepsy.  Further information on women and epilepsy.

Periods

• Some women tend to have seizures around their periods. If you think this is the case for you, keep a note of the dates of your period and when you have seizures. Your doctor may be able to give you some treatment to help.

Contraception

• Some medicines for epilepsy can make some types of contraception work less well. This means you could become pregnant.
• Some types of contraception can interfere with epilepsy medicines. This could cause you to have a seizure.
• To make sure you have the right contraception tell medical staff about your epilepsy medicine and any other treatment you are taking.

Menopause (the change)

• If you are going through the menopause your epilepsy could change. If you notice a difference, talk to your doctor or nurse.
• You could be at risk of developing brittle or softening bones. Some epilepsy medicines increases this risk. Treatment is available – so ask your doctor or nurse if they think you are likely to be at risk.

Having a baby

Pregnancy

• Most women with epilepsy give birth to healthy babies.
• Having epilepsy and taking medicine for epilepsy can increase the risk of a health problem for the baby. If you can, get medical advice before you get pregnant, because there are lots of ways of reducing this risk.
• Never just stop taking your epilepsy medicine. This could be dangerous for you and for your baby.

Childbirth

• Most women with epilepsy have normal deliveries
• Make sure hospital staff know that you have epilepsy and what medicines you are taking.
• You should try to take your epilepsy medicines at the same time of day you usually do. Ask hospital staff to help you.

Breastfeeding

• Lots of women with epilepsy can breastfeed their baby. Ask your midwife or doctor for advice.

Inheriting epilepsy

• Just because you have epilepsy it doesn’t mean your children will have it. But they will have a slightly greater chance of developing epilepsy than children in general.