Challenges in the Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in Female Patients

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome with a prevalence between 5 and 10% of all epilepsies.[1] Seizures begin typically between the ages of 12 and 18, with a mean of 15 years in JME.[2] [3] Myoclonic seizures is a must for the diagnosis of JME. All the patients have myoclonic seizures, whereas generalized tonic–clonic seizures and absence seizures are seen in 85 to 90% and 20 to 40% of the patients, respectively.[2] [4] Photosensitivity is a sign for early onset seizures. Common triggers are insomnia, alcohol intake, stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Typical seizures occur in the mornings, especially within 30 to 60 minutes after waking up.[5] [6]