Women with

epilepsy

who are treated with a medication called

valproate (Depakote)

have a higher incidence of

PCOS

symptoms. There is some evidence to suggest that the higher the dose of

Depakote

used, the greater the chance for developing

PCOS

. Stopping

valproate

therefore may improve signs and symptoms of

PCOS

. At the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, investigators from the University of Birmingham and the University of Colorado performed a study on 16 women with

epilepsy

who had been taking

valproate

for more than two years. Many of these women were found to have high testosterone levels. High testosterone levels are a common finding in women with PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome. In the study, women were switched from

valproate

to a different type of

epilepsy

medication. Fifteen of the sixteen patients had resolution of the hormonal evidence for

PCOS

. Women with

epilepsy

, who are taking

Depakote

, and have clinical evidence for

PCOS

should talk with their doctors about reducing the dosage or switching them to another epilepsy medication.