Epilepsy and the menstrual cycle

A report published by Epilepsy Action has shown that some women who suffer from epilepsy may experience seizures during the menstrual cycle.
Known as catamenial epilepsy, these seizures can be triggered by hormonal changes at this time.
Oestrogen and Progesterone affect the excitability of the brain. Oestrogen has been found to have a convulsant effect, which could make seizures more likely to occur. Progesterone has an anticonvulsant affect, so it can make seizures less likely to occur. At ovulation or just before menstruation begins, when oestrogen levels are higher than the progesterone levels, two patterns of catamenial epilepsy can occur - seizures which occur before or during the first few days of the menstrual cycle and those which occur at the time of ovulation, when the level of oestrogen is at its highest. Women who have abnormal menstrual cycles and do not ovulate regularly, or even at all, may not produce enough progesterone to counter the oestrogen, which can lead to seizures during the second half of the menstrual cycle, according to the report.
Stress and anxiety can also trigger seizures, and women with epilepsy who suffer these particular premenstrual symptoms may also be affected. There is also evidence that changes in the fluid balance of the body at menstruation due to water retention may have an effect on the risk of seizures.
To identify whether seizures coincide with a menstrual cycle, Epilepsy Action recommend charting a diary for a few months. Further information is available from Epilepsy Action. Contact them at www.epilepsy.org.uk.

Bella Offer

One hundred free copies of NAPS' A Guide to Premenstrual Syndrome are up for grabs for lucky Bella readers.
The 30-page guide, which is normally priced at £3.50 and covers everything from causes to eating tips and available treatments, could be yours free. For a chance to win a copy, send your name and address on a postcard to Bella/PMS booklet giveaway, PO Box 32074, London NW1 7UD, by 10 June 2005.

Menopause relief

Researchers in Germany have added weight to evidence that suggests the herb, Black Cohosh, can be beneficial in combating menopausal symptoms.
According to Reuters Health, an extract of the herb marketed as Remifemin is effective in helping hot flushes, night sweats and subsequent sleep disturbances. Nervousness and depressive moods can also be improved, the researchers claim.
The latest study involved 304 women picked at random, suffering with various climacteric complaints. They were given 40 milligrams a day of Remifemin or a placebo. After 12 weeks, depending on the symptoms, Remifemin was found to be "significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms." It was most
effective in reducing hot flushes in women in the early menopausal years.

Research links allergy to irregular periods

A Norwegian research project is suggesting links between irregular periods and asthma and hay fever.
The study looked at more than 8,500 women between the ages of 25 and 54. The findings suggest that rates of asthma and hay fever were far higher in younger women who had irregular periods than regular periods, pointing to metabolic problems, such as insulin resistance, as an underlying cause. The findings also added weight to the argument that female hormones might play a role in allergic diseases.
The women were asked about their respiratory health and menstrual cycles between 1999 and 2001. About one in four women - around 23% - had irregular periods with the main trend pointing towards women aged 25 and 42. The possibility that the trend may have been due to the allergy medication the women were taking was also ruled out, as the same link was found in women whose symptoms were not being treated.
Dr John Moore-Gillon, President of the British Lung Foundation said: "It is fascinating that this research suggests that hormones can play a part in a person being asthmatic or suffering with allergies." Further details at www.asthma.org.uk.

NAPS to produce women's health booklet with Tesco

NAPS is to collaborate with supermarket giant Tesco to help produce a women's health booklet.
The booklet, which will have a print run of 100,000 copies, will cover all aspects of women's health. NAPS will work with the company to produce a section on menstrual health and PMS. Keep a look-out when you go shopping.

Pilot Project to boost PMS awareness

NAPS is to launch a pilot project to help improve the availability of menstrual health services and information in Kent.
As an increasingly high number of women are taking advantage of our website service Ask the Experts (almost 1,000 since it was launched a year ago), it is becoming evident that women are unable to find the help and information they need from their local health providers who are often ill-informed about PMS and self-help treatments available.
As NAPS Chairman, Nicholas Panay comments: "The high and growing use of this service shows that the NHS at GP level is failing women in this important aspect of their health. Without NAPS' initiative, many women would be left high and dry without clinical support in dealing with these symptoms."
NAPS aim to set up a resource database giving details of specialist traditional and complementary PMS and menstrual health providers in the area. This information will also be made available to GPs and specialist clinics.

Help across the world

An increasing number of questions posted on our Ask the Experts panel are from overseas, highlighting the power of the internet in enabling us to reach women and their partners around the world.
Our expert panel was recently contacted by a man in Pakistan, who was extremely worried about his wife's menstrual health. He had turned to NAPS having exhausted all possibilities available in Pakistan. As a result of our website service, Mr Nicholas Panay was able to give his expert help.

PMS Awareness Week

It's time to put PMS Awareness Week into your diaries.
Scheduled for September 12, this year's awareness programme will take a look at relationship issues, including sex and PMS, issues for those with learning disabilities and how we can help women and their families from different cultures cope with menstrual difficulties. We will highlight our concern at the continuing failure of local health services to respond effectively to the needs of women experiencing PMS. Keep watching for more details.

Diary dates

NAPS Annual General Meeting will take place on September 17 at Otford Village Hall, Kent. Further details will be posted in the next bulletin.