Just for Women
What is the safest drug regimen for a woman with epilepsy who wants to get pregnant? How do hormonal changes affect seizure activity? What about contraception failure, fertility problems and parenting issues? These are among the unique health concerns of women and girls with epilepsy.
The Medical Center's new Epilepsy Clinic for Women takes a team approach to addressing the special health concerns of women and girls. Coordinated care is provided by specialists in epileptology, gynecology, medical psychology, obstetrics, and social work.
"For women, epilepsy is more than just seizures," says Maria Sam, M.D., clinic director. "There are work and family issues as well as the interplay of the neurological and reproductive systems. Our clinic's goal is to pool our knowledge to provide excellent care, to educate women and their primary care physicians, and to conduct research to help find the answers women need."
Some of the newest information is in the areas of contraception and pregnancy. For years, it was thought that women with epilepsy should not have children. Later, physicians believed birth control pills were not an option because anti-seizure medications would interfere with their effectiveness. Now, it is known that most of the contraceptive methods available to all women can be successful for women with epilepsy.
Doctors also know that more than 80 percent of women with epilepsy can have normal, healthy babies. Pregnancy risks can be minimized through proper selection of anti-seizure drugs, treatment with folic acid before conception and pre-natal screening, says Margaret Harper, M.D., the clinic's obstetrician.
For information about the clinic, call 336-713-4288.
Web Presentation
Women's Issues in Epilepsy