Relationship between oral malodor and the menstrual cycle

Abstract

Sex hormones have been suggested to be important modifying factors that may influence the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study examined changes in volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) levels, clinical parameters and bacterial levels during the menstrual cycle. The study group consisted of 10 female subjects with periodontitis and 12 periodontally healthy female subjects. Clinical and bacterial measurements were performed for all subjects during the ovulation and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. Bleeding on probing (BOP) was significantly increased in the ovulation phase in periodontitis subjects but not in healthy subjects. The VSC levels in subjects with periodontitis increased 2.2-fold in the ovulation phase compared with the follicular phase. In the ovulation phase, VSC levels and BOP were significantly higher in subjects with periodontitis than in healthy subjects. The number, and salivary levels, of Prevotella intermedia in subjects with periodontitis were significantly higher in the ovulation phase than in the follicular phase. The present study indicated changes in VSC, BOP and P. intermedia during the menstrual cycles of women with periodontitis.