Cycle-Related Seizures in Women: What Women Should Know About Hormonal Triggers

Many women notice that their seizures tend to follow a pattern—becoming more frequent or severe at certain points in their menstrual cycle. This condition is called catamenial epilepsy, a type of epilepsy where hormonal changes influence seizure activity. Recognizing this link is a crucial step toward better management and a higher quality of life.

Hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, have key roles in the brain. Estrogen can boost neuronal excitability, increasing the likelihood of seizures, while progesterone generally provides a calming, anti-seizure effect. The changing balance of these hormones throughout the month can lead to periods of higher seizure risk.

What Is Catamenial Epilepsy?
Catamenial epilepsy refers to seizure patterns tied to the menstrual cycle. While every woman’s experience is different, three common patterns are recognized:

• Perimenstrual (C1): Seizure increases around the time of bleeding

• Periovulatory (C2): Seizure increases near ovulation

• Luteal (C3): Seizure increases when progesterone levels are lower than expected

Not all cycle-related seizures fit neatly into these groups, but they offer a helpful framework for understanding why symptoms may intensify at certain times.

Why Hormones Influence Seizure Activity

1. Estrogen Increases Excitability: Estrogen can boost neuronal firing, increasing the risk of seizures during periods when estrogen temporarily rises.

2. Progesterone Has a Calming Effect: Progesterone is believed to have anti-seizure properties. When progesterone levels drop, many women experience an increase in seizures.

3. Sleep, stress, and medication levels also fluctuate: Changing hormone levels can indirectly impact sleep quality, stress tolerance, and how the body processes antiseizure medications—all influencing cycle-related patterns.

Common Women’s Epilepsy Symptoms to Watch For
While symptoms vary, many women report:

• Clustered seizures around menstruation

• Increased aura frequency

• Mood changes or heightened anxiety

• Headaches or migraines

• Worsening fatigue

Tracking these symptoms alongside your cycle is often key to discovering patterns your provider can treat.

How to Manage Hormone-Related Seizure Patterns

Track Your Cycle and Seizures: Use a journal or digital app to log seizure timing, menstrual dates, mood changes, sleep, and medications. This data helps your clinician identify patterns quickly.

Work With an Epilepsy Specialist: Treatment options may include:

• Adjusting medication around high-risk times

• Considering progesterone supplementation

• Hormonal birth control options

• Lifestyle adjustments to support sleep and stress management

Every plan should be tailored to the individual—especially for women considering pregnancy.

If you’ve noticed worsening seizures around your cycle, or if your current treatment no longer feels effective, it’s time to seek expert input. Women’s epilepsy is unique—and deserves specialized, compassionate care.

Ready for answers? We can help.

Cycle-related seizures shouldn’t control your life. NeuroLogic specializes in women’s epilepsy, catamenial seizure management, hormone-related seizure patterns, pregnancy counseling, and modern EEG diagnostics.

Contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more.