When it comes to managing patients with epilepsy, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. And it would be wrong to assume you could treat a woman the same way you would treat a man. There are a number of special considerations to keep in mind--especially birth control and pregnancy. Not to mention the increase risk of seizures during menses for some women.

In this week's program, we revisit one of the earliest shows we put together in 2016 on the special considerations when it comes to women with epilepsy. Dr. Danielle Becker--an epileptologist at Penn--joins Jim Siegler for the discussion.

Produced by James E. Siegler. Music courtesy of Josh Woodward. Sound effects by Mike Koenig and Daniel Simion. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision making. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @brainwavesaudio for the latest updates to the podcast.

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REFERENCES

1. Meador K, Reynolds MW, Crean S, Fahrbach K and Probst C. Pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published pregnancy registries and cohorts. Epilepsy Res. 2008;81:1-13.
2. Meador KJ, Baker GA, Browning N, Cohen MJ, Bromley RL, Clayton-Smith J, Kalayjian LA, Kanner A, Liporace JD, Pennell PB, Privitera M, Loring DW and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs Study G. Breastfeeding in children of women taking antiepileptic drugs: cognitive outcomes at age 6 years. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168:729-36.
3. Veliskova J and Desantis KA. Sex and hormonal influences on seizures and epilepsy. Horm Behav. 2013;63:267-77.
4. Herzog AG, Fowler KM, Smithson SD, Kalayjian LA, Heck CN, Sperling MR, Liporace JD, Harden CL, Dworetzky BA, Pennell PB, Massaro JM and Progesterone Trial Study G. Progesterone vs placebo therapy for women with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial. Neurology. 2012;78:1959-66.
5. Tauboll E, Sveberg L and Svalheim S. Interactions between hormones and epilepsy. Seizure. 2015;28:3-11.
6. Crawford P. Best practice guidelines for the management of women with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2005;46 Suppl 9:117-24.
7. Reiter SF, Bjork MH, Daltveit AK, Veiby G, Kolstad E, Engelsen BA and Gilhus NE. Life satisfaction in women with epilepsy during and after pregnancy. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;62:251-257.
8. Harden CL, Hopp J, Ting TY, Pennell PB, French JA, Hauser WA, Wiebe S, Gronseth GS, Thurman D, Meador KJ, Koppel BS, Kaplan PW, Robinson JN, Gidal B, Hovinga CA, Wilner AN, Vazquez B, Holmes L, Krumholz A, Finnell R, Le Guen C, American Academy of N and American Epilepsy S. Practice parameter update: management issues for women with epilepsy--focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): obstetrical complications and change in seizure frequency: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2009;73:126-32.