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3 - The woman with epilepsy: a historical perspective
from Part I - The woman with epilepsy
- By Orrin Devinsky, Department of Neurology, NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, 560 First Avenue, Rivergate, New York, NY 10016, USA
Edited by Martha J. Morrell, Columbia University, New York, Kerry L. Flynn, Columbia-Presbyterian Cancer Center, New York
Book:

Women with Epilepsy

Published online:

02 November 2009

Print publication:

20 March 2003, pp 17-34
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Summary

This chapter reviews the medical history of epilepsy as it relates to women. It presents an extensive knowledge about epilepsy, its treatment, and a collection of related historical texts. The medical and social histories of epilepsy are filled with stories of wrong information and wrong action. Two surveys of the history of epilepsy show a strong male bias in the medical writings on the diagnosis, causation, and treatment of people with epilepsy from ancient to more recent times. Menarche, menstruation, and menopause have been associated with changes in epileptic seizure activity for centuries. During the twentieth century, women with epilepsy have benefited from greater understanding of epilepsy, major advances in diagnostic tools, awareness, and attempts to formulate individualized, safe approaches to special issues such as birth control, pregnancy, sexual function, and menopause.