Preliminary Observations on Valproate and Cystic Ovaries : Letter to Editor

Women with epilepsy continue to pose special therapeutic problems and dilemmas to their physicians. The latest is the scare about development of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) with valproate.¹ The clinical features of PCOD include oligoamenorrhea, infertility, centripetal obesity, hirsutism and raised plasma testosterone level along with bilateral ovarian enlargement and multiple cysts. Recent reports suggested on increased incidence of PCOD amongst women on valproate for epilepsy.^2-9 The author's personal experience with this condition and a critical analysis of the problems at hand is presented.