Epilepsy has a number of sexual and reproductive complications that we don't fully understand. Nearly one-third of epileptic men suffer from erectile dysfunction, and many epileptic women complain of dry vagina, painful contractions during sex, or low libido.
These problems are particularly common in people with complex partial seizures originating in the temporal lobe of the brain. About 5% of babies born to women with epilepsy have a birth defect. This compares to about a 2.5% chance in the rest of the population. It's known that antiepileptic medications are responsible for at least some of the extra birth defects. The defects can be minor or easily corrected by surgery (malformed fingers, cleft lip, or palate) but occasionally more serious malformations suc
h as spina bifida can occur.
Diagnosing Epilepsy
If you think you or your child may have had a seizure, see your doctor. You may be asked about your history of seizures, how long they last, when they occur, and how you feel afterwards. Family history may be relevant. The primary test for epilepsy is the electroencephalogram (EEG). Wires are taped to the head and electrical activity is measured. It's completely painless and can even be performed while the person is asleep. Computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) create detailed images of the brain. These are essential to check for trauma, tumours, abscesses, and infections such as meningitis that can cause epilepsy.
Treating and Preventing Epilepsy Anticonvulsant medications will eliminate or reduce seizures in most people. There are several types, and not all of them work in every case. Examples of anticonvulsants include carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, topiramate, and valproic acid. A doctor may need to try a few before finding the right one for a given person. Unfortunately, many anticonvulsants can have side effects. Some can make a person mentally sluggish. Some can provoke facial hair growth and even blunt facial features. They can also reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill and cause birth defects. If a person hasn't had a seizure for more than a year, their doctor may want them to slowly stop the medication. Two-thirds of the time, the seizures never return. Epilepsy originating from a damaged part of the brain may require surgery when medications are not enough. This can sometimes cure the problem. Seizures can sometimes be improved by an implanted pacemaker-type device that stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck at regular intervals. A person wearing this device who feels a seizure coming can sometimes stop it by waving a small magnet over the implant to turn the stimulator on. All women who are sexually active, including those who have epilepsy, should talk to their doctor about folic acid supplements that reduce the risk of birth defects. There are also treatments for the various sexual problems that may accompany epilepsy. Exercise is generally beneficial to those with epilepsy, and people rarely have seizures during exercise. People with epilepsy should take some common-sense precautions to avoid injury, such as avoiding swimming or bathing unsupervised, operating heavy machinery, or climbing ladders. Although some precautions are necessary, parents should try not to be overprotective. People with epilepsy can lead full, happy, and productive lives.
Epilepsy is very bad. Visit your doctor often if you are an epileptic patient.
These problems are particularly common in people with complex partial seizures originating in the temporal lobe of the brain. About 5% of babies born to women with epilepsy have a birth defect. This compares to about a 2.5% chance in the rest of the population. It's known that antiepileptic medications are responsible for at least some of the extra birth defects. The defects can be minor or easily corrected by surgery (malformed fingers, cleft lip, or palate) but occasionally more serious malformations suc
h as spina bifida can occur.
Diagnosing Epilepsy
If you think you or your child may have had a seizure, see your doctor. You may be asked about your history of seizures, how long they last, when they occur, and how you feel afterwards. Family history may be relevant. The primary test for epilepsy is the electroencephalogram (EEG). Wires are taped to the head and electrical activity is measured. It's completely painless and can even be performed while the person is asleep. Computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) create detailed images of the brain. These are essential to check for trauma, tumours, abscesses, and infections such as meningitis that can cause epilepsy.
Treating and Preventing Epilepsy Anticonvulsant medications will eliminate or reduce seizures in most people. There are several types, and not all of them work in every case. Examples of anticonvulsants include carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, topiramate, and valproic acid. A doctor may need to try a few before finding the right one for a given person. Unfortunately, many anticonvulsants can have side effects. Some can make a person mentally sluggish. Some can provoke facial hair growth and even blunt facial features. They can also reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill and cause birth defects. If a person hasn't had a seizure for more than a year, their doctor may want them to slowly stop the medication. Two-thirds of the time, the seizures never return. Epilepsy originating from a damaged part of the brain may require surgery when medications are not enough. This can sometimes cure the problem. Seizures can sometimes be improved by an implanted pacemaker-type device that stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck at regular intervals. A person wearing this device who feels a seizure coming can sometimes stop it by waving a small magnet over the implant to turn the stimulator on. All women who are sexually active, including those who have epilepsy, should talk to their doctor about folic acid supplements that reduce the risk of birth defects. There are also treatments for the various sexual problems that may accompany epilepsy. Exercise is generally beneficial to those with epilepsy, and people rarely have seizures during exercise. People with epilepsy should take some common-sense precautions to avoid injury, such as avoiding swimming or bathing unsupervised, operating heavy machinery, or climbing ladders. Although some precautions are necessary, parents should try not to be overprotective. People with epilepsy can lead full, happy, and productive lives.
Epilepsy is very bad. Visit your doctor often if you are an epileptic patient.
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