The effect of puberty on the course of epilepsy

It has been stated that puberty adversely affects epilepsy. In this retrospective study, 39 patients (24 girls and 15 boys) with onset of epilepsy before puberty were followed up for seven years extending from prepuberty into puberty. A general trend toward fewer seizures during puberty was observed, but this trend reached statistical significance for only the female patients after menarche. These changes were not related to treatment. We conclude that, in general, puberty does not influence epilepsy. In the postmenarche phase of puberty, however, female patients might experience a better seizure control.