Cohort study, 2009
Does gum inflammation change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Gum inflammation and inflammation markers in gum fluid increased during the late menstrual cycle phase before menstruation. This shows hormone changes affect oral health, not just mood and physical symptoms.
What they did
Longitudinal study of 27 women over 2 months. Plaque was recorded weekly. Gum inflammation and bleeding on probing were measured on three specific cycle days: first menstruation day, estimated ovulation day, and estimated progesterone-dominant day. Gum fluid was collected on these three days to measure two inflammation markers: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.
What they found
Bleeding on probing and IL-1beta levels in gum fluid increased significantly from menstruation day to the progesterone-dominant day. Among 12 women who reported premenstrual symptoms, 6 reported oral complaints during the premenstrual period and mouth sores (aphthous lesions) were more frequent during menstruation.
What it means for you
Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect gum health and inflammation, with more inflammation in the week before menstruation. The study is small and only detailed results for 12 of the 27 women who reported premenstrual symptoms, so it is unclear how common these gum problems are among all women.
27
women studied
12
reported premenstrual symptoms
6
reported oral complaints during premenstrual period
About the study
- Original title
- Gingival inflammation and interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in gingival crevicular fluid during the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Baser U, Cekici A, Tanrikulu-Kucuk S et al.
- Journal
- Journal of periodontology
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 12
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1902/jop.2009.090076