Sex

Most men and women have sexual feelings and this is no different for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy should not stop someone with epilepsy from having an intimate relationship and enjoying sexual intercourse. Many people with epilepsy worry that a seizure may occur during sexual intercourse. In fact, a seizure is no more likely to occur at this time than at any other. The epilepsy itself especially contributes to sexual dysfunction if the seizures are poorly controlled.

Sexual dysfunction, a common problem in the general population, refers to an inability to experience sexual feelings and arousal or to perform sexual activities. For example, the failure of a man to achieve an erection or the inability of a man or woman to achieve an orgasm are forms of sexual dysfunction. In the general population, many women do not routinely achieve orgasm, and intermittent impotence is a problem for young men and even more of a problem for older men. Impotence is more common among men with epilepsy than for men in the general population. In some cases, the medication may affect the desire for sex for both women and men.

Family planning for women with epilepsy
It is very important for adolescent girls and women with epilepsy to get good advice before they get pregnant. They need to be aware that anti-epileptic drugs can slightly increase the risk of abnormalities in a developing baby and it is important to talk to a doctor about the best way to prepare for a pregnancy to minimize any risks. The aim will be to achieve good seizure control with the most appropriate medication for the woman with epilepsy and her future baby. Foliate supplements will usually be recommended to help protect your baby against neural tube defects.

Effects of anti-epileptic drugs on birth control pills
Women with epilepsy need to be educated about the different types of birth control and the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on birth control pills. Some anti-epileptic drugs for epilepsy can reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pill and increase the risk of unplanned pregnancy.

In an American study, approximately 30% of women with epilepsy who were age 24 years or younger experienced unplanned pregnancy, a higher rate than in the general population. However, the reasons for the increased rate of pregnancy in these women is uncertain.

If the woman with epilepsy has an unplanned pregnancy, they ought not to stop their medication as this could provoke seizures. They need to speak with their doctor as soon as possible.

Family planning for men with epilepsy
Men with epilepsy who are potential fathers also need to know about family planning, but they should be reassured that in general they are just about as likely as other men to get healthy babies. The rate of epilepsy among children whose fathers have epilepsy but whose mothers do not is only slightly higher than the rate in the general population. Some studies show a slight increase in birth defects among babies whose fathers took anti-epileptic drugs, but others show no increase at all.