From our partner Irene Tarragó
This month of March we commemorate International Women’s Day, on the 8th, and, a little later, on the 26th, World Epilepsy Day.
Taking advantage of the fact that this month these two dates are commemorated, I would like, first of all, to congratulate all the women and urge them and the men who think that equality is a right, to continue fighting as until now, without giving up, because we are living in times turbulent and we cannot allow ourselves to take a step back in the search and achievement of equal rights. And, secondly, tell you about the special relationship that women have with epilepsy.
Women, simply because they are women, have to be more careful with treatment and pay more attention to symptoms than men.
Women experience different hormonal changes throughout their lives, so epilepsy treatment may vary depending on the stage they are in.
Menstruation, contraceptives, pregnancy and menopause are circumstances that can influence the control of epilepsy.
Some women may notice that there is a relationship between their menstrual cycles and the frequency of their attacks. It is called catamenial epilepsy. There is a greater chance of having a crisis, either while the body is ovulating or in the first months of menstruation.
Regarding contraceptives, the possible interactions of this type of medication and antiepileptic treatment must be taken into account, since it may happen that both lose effect when combined.
One of the most delicate moments of treatment for a woman with epilepsy is pregnancy. At that moment, the woman asks herself many questions, such as: Can my son inherit epilepsy? Will I be able to continue with my treatment? Will I be able to breastfeed him? She has to resolve all of them and many more with her neurologist.
During menopause and its hormonal changes, the frequency of attacks may vary in some women. Additionally, during this period, women are more likely to have osteoporosis and some epilepsy medications can worsen osteoporosis and vice versa.
It is therefore necessary that in the design of medications for the treatment of epilepsy, the peculiar idiosyncrasies of women be taken into account and it is also necessary that health professionals have exact knowledge of the repercussions that a drug antiepileptic can have in a pregnant woman or in a woman who is already in menopause.
Women experience different hormonal changes throughout their lives, so epilepsy treatment may vary depending on the stage they are in.
Research must continue in the field of epilepsy, since there are still 30% of people diagnosed who cannot control their seizures in any way, not even with surgery, so research is essential.
