There is an increase in gingival inflammation and discomfort associated with some women’s menstrual cycles, say researchers in the March issue of Journal of Periodontology.
Researchers compared the gingival and periodontal status of 18 premenopausal women between the ages of 20 and 50 years at different time points of their menstrual cycles: ovulation, premenstruation and menstruation. During the examination, researchers measured plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, gingival recession and clinical attachment level.
"What we found is that several women reported considerable oral symptoms prior to menses," said lead author Dr. Eli E. Machtei, Rambam Medical Center and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
The symptoms included a slight burning sensation, bleeding with minor irritation, redness to the gums, oral ulcers, and general pain and discomfort in the gums.
"Gingival inflammation was lower during menstruation than during ovulation and premenstruation," said Machtei. "This may be attributed to the hormone known as serum estradiol, which is a natural form of estrogen that peaks and drops during ovulation and premenstruation."
"Further studies will be required to explore the mechanism by which this phenomenon occurs, and to examine whether these transitional changes have any lasting negative effects on the periodontium," said Dr. Michael P. Rethman, president of the American Academy of Periodontology.
