The Study on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Women with Epilepsy Taking Valproate

Abstract

MRI of ovarium and serum sex-hormone measurement was performed for women with epilepsy who developed menstrual disturbances while taking antiepileptic drugs. Nine patients were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). All of them had mental retardation and were treated with valproate (VPA). Only 2 of these 9 patients were seizure free. The mean value of starting age, administration period, daily dosage, and blood concentration of VPA was 3 years 7 months, 17 years, 13.3mg/kg/day, and 85.4μg/ml, respectively. MRI demonstrated the finding of polycystic ovary and the serum sex-hormone examination showed hyperandrogenemia and/or LH>FSH in all patients. In addition, 3 patients were obese (BMI>25) and all of 9 had insulin resistance. Patients who developed PCOS during VPA therapy must receive a multi-specialist approach and careful evaluation about the balance between risks and benefits of continuing therapy with VPA.