Case-control study, 2002
Does stress from PMS change the chemistry of women's breath?
Yes. Women with PMS have higher levels of volatile sulfur compounds (which cause bad breath) during the premenstrual phase than women without PMS (P < 0.05), and this is not simply explained by less saliva production.
What they did
Two studies. Study 1: Researchers measured breath chemistry in 71 dental students one week before an exam, on exam day, and one week after. Study 2: They measured breath and saliva in 50 women (23 with PMS, 27 without) at three points in their menstrual cycle: non-menstrual, premenstrual, and menstrual phases.
What they found
During the exam, volatile sulfur compounds increased significantly and saliva flow decreased compared with baseline. In the PMS study, women with PMS had higher volatile sulfur compound concentrations during the premenstrual stage than women without PMS (P < 0.05). However, salivary flow did not differ significantly between the two groups.
What it means for you
Stress related to PMS affects mouth chemistry in ways that could cause bad breath. This effect is not simply due to less saliva. The exact biological mechanism is not yet clear. This is a relatively small study.
71
dental students in exam study
50
women (23 with PMS, 27 without)
P < 0.05
significance of higher VSCs in premenstrual phase
About the study
- Original title
- Relationship between stressful situations, salivary flow rate and oral volatile sulfur-containing compounds
- Authors
- Queiroz CS, Hayacibara MF, Tabchoury CP et al.
- Journal
- European journal of oral sciences
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 50
- What was tested
- None. Researchers measured natural responses to psychological stress.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0722.2002.21320.x
Topics
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