Although past studies regarding the anticonvulsant medication, Depakote, have focused on the potential for the drug to cause major birth defects in infants who are exposed to Depakote in utero, recent research has indicated that Depakote may also contribute to an increased risk of ovarian cysts in women who take the drug to treat their seizure-related disorders. In fact, according to a recent study, 10.5% of women who took Abbott Laboratories' Depakote developed irregularities in their menstrual cycles accompanied by hyperandrogenism, a risk factor for ovarian cysts. This significant risk represents a percentage 7.5 times higher than that of other anti-seizure medications, like Lithium.
Depakote use has been associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition caused by a hormone imbalance in the brain and ovaries, affecting approximately five to ten percent of women of child-bearing age. Changes to the ovaries typical of PCOS cause multiple follicles to accumulate in the ovaries without being ovulated. The ovaries then secrete increased levels of estrogen and testosterone, causing women with PCOS to experience irregular or absent menstruation, hypertension, diabetes, excess body hair and obesity. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is also believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in females.
The ovaries of women with PCOS receive irregular signals from the pituitary gland, which prevents them from ovulating, or producing eggs. Lack of ovulation causes infertility and can also lead to other severe medical conditions such as endometrial cancer and a disorder called endometrial hyperplasia. Many women with PCOS are prescribed a form of birth control pill since these products contain the hormones a woman's body requires to treat the condition. By taking these hormone-containing contraceptives, women with PCOS can correct their hormone imbalance, regulate their menstrual cycle, lower the level of testosterone in their bodies, and decrease their risk of developing endometrial cancer.
According to extensive research, PCOS has a higher prevalence in women with bipolar disorder, which may be caused directly or indirectly by the use of valproate-containing anticonvulsant medications like Depakote. Regardless of the specific role Depakote may play in the potential development of polycystic ovarian syndrome, experts believe that anti-epileptic medications like Depakote may significantly compound the risk of women developing PCOS, potentially causing infertility and other major medical issues.