Epilepsy and reproductive disorders: The role of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone network

Individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy have an increased incidence of reproductive dysfunction. The comorbidity may be due to the acute effects of the seizures, the chronic effects of the epilepsy, and/or the use of antiepileptic drugs on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone network and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This review provides a brief overview of evidence from experimental animal and clinical studies exploring the basis for epilepsy-associated reproductive abnormalities.