Yes. Hormones in women have a specific effect on epilepsy. Increased estrogen and decreased progesterone (which commonly happens when a woman has her period) can make seizures more frequent. It is a misconception that women with epilepsy can’t have children–they can–but they do have a higher rate of having children with birth defects, likely due to medication taken during pregnancy to reduce seizures.

What are the symptoms of epilepsy?

What are the causes of epilepsy?