Epilepsy and sexuality

Numerous studies have confirmed the link between seizures and the time of first menstruation also known as menarche. So, how does epilepsy affect the menstrual cycle?

There are many studies that suggest that the emergence of epileptic seizures in the time of the first menstruation. In some studies, it was determined that women suffering from epilepsy usually have anovulation periods, polycystic eggs, irregular menstrual periods or even absence of menstruation.

Does the menstruation cycle affect epilepsy?

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Polycystic ovaries are related to hyperandrogenism which means increased levels of male hormones. This occurrence is accompanied by increased hairiness, anovulatory or irregular cycle and obesity. According to some statistics between 5 and 20% of women have such characteristics. If these women are not treated and not taking antiepileptic drugs, the clinical picture of epilepsy may worsen. There is a special type of epilepsy that occurs in the pre-menstrual period and this epilepsy is called catamenial epilepsy. It is believed that is related to increased levels of estrogen (well-known female hormone) in the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle. There are certain studies that have shown that women with epilepsy experience some changes in the EEG during menstruation and more frequent episodes of seizures in the times of high levels of estrogen in the pre-ovulatory period in the follicular stage of the menstrual cycle. It was noted that the use of progesterone decreases the number of epileptic seizures and that it is very important to balance the levels of estrogen and progestoren well in order to reduce these seizures. In the normal menstrual cycle, when progesterone concentration reaches its highest level, there is no chance of epileptic seizures. Now let’s see how epilepsy affects sexuality and sexual life in women.

What is most important is to have a partner that understands the situation. Sexuality is the most elemental part of human beings with which we are all born and die and it is expressed in different ways appropriate to the period of life. People have always used their sexuality for their own reproduction and in some cases people have struggled to suppress their sexuality while some of them have exploited their sexuality. Since sexuality is an integral part of all humans, sexologists say that people must dream and fantasize about it when they cannot express or apply it. Every human being, be it healthy or sick or with certain disabilities has need to express their sexuality. Since we all know that epilepsy affects the psychosomatic nature of humans, it is true that epilepsy in some way shapes the sexuality of men and women.

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We must highlight the fact that most women with epilepsy have completely normal sexual needs and desires. If a woman goes for medical examinations on a regular basis and if they are taking medications for epilepsy and use adequate contraception, then it is not necessary to deny or repress their sexuality. The only thing they need to do is to adjust their sexual behavior to their own capabilities. 

Reasons for Missed and Late Menstruation

There are many reasons why your menstrual cycle might be late or even missing but there are few of them are the most probable cause for that.

First and foremost, you might be pregnant. Of course, pregnancy is possible only when a woman had sex with a man without using any type of contraception. However, in some cases even if you have used protection it is possible that it fail to protect you. Pregnancy is possible only with a sexual intercourse, during which the man ejaculates his semen in the vagina, but it can also happen in cases when the man, just before ejaculation, pulls the penis out of the vagina. Anal sex, oral sex and all other types of sex can’t lead to pregnancy. In case you had sexual intercourse that can lead result in pregnancy and the menstrual cycle is late, there are two options for you. You can buy a pregnancy test or you can calculate the so-called fertile days. 

Calculating fertile days is not really the perfect choice for protection because they are not very reliable, but they can help you establish a framework about whether you were fertile during that period or not.

Women are usually most fertile between two menstrual cycles. Sometimes this state is visible thanks to the increased vaginal discharge. This fertile period is also called a period of ovulation.

In order to determine your fertile days you can also use so-called menstrual calendars. These calendars have many purposes – from calculating fertile days to observation of your body’s behavior. These calendars can help your gynecologist a lot because we often can’t remember when the last time we had a period or some other things related with our sexual health. Ovulation can be affected by alcohol, tobacco, drugs, stress, diseases and more. That’s why we can’t rely on calculating the fertile days.   

The link between the moon and menstrual cycles has been proved many times. The moon phase of fertility might occur at any time, no matter when was your last menstruation. The moon fertility period is calculated for each woman individually, based on the time of birth.

Menstruation can be late or missing for many other reasons. One of the major causes of this is of course – stress. Menstruation can fail because your body is trying to establish a new balance. That’s why teenage girls have so many irregular menstruations. Establishing a regular menstrual cycle can last for several years and in order to achieve that women should take care about their diet – eating too much or too little can affect the menstruation. Furthermore, excessive exercising can lead to body exhaustion and this kind of routine can confuse your menstrual cycle.

Irregular menstruation and its absence might be a short-term or long-term occurrence. In cases of long-term irregularities, the best option is to visit your gynecologist. If this is a short-term problem, try to find out what kind of changes in your life happened during that period.

Menstruation can be a great indicator about what is going on in the woman’s body.