Endocrine Abstracts

Gingivitis is the most frequent periodontal manifestation during oral contraceptives therapy, mainly due to the altered oral bacterial flora under the influence of oestrogen and progesterone. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low-dose oral contraceptives on periodontal health in young females.

Methods: 42 women aged 18–38 years without systemic disease, non-smokers, were divided in two study groups: 22 women treated with low-dose oral contraceptives (OC) for 12 months and a control group of 20 women not using OC. Periodontal assessment included gingival index, probing depth, and attachment level at six sites per tooth. The OC users were examined before, at 6 and 12 months of therapy. The gingival index was appreciated as normal (Score 0), minimal (Score 1), moderate (Score 2) or severe (Score 3) depending on gingival colour, vascularisation, oedema, bleeding, ulceration.

Results: Pretreatment 72% had normal gingival aspect (Score 0) and 28% had a Score 1. The percentage of patients with moderate gingivitis (Score 2) was 42% at 6 months and 75% at 12 months. A severe gingival index (Score 3) was noted only at 12 months in 18% of cases. OC users at 12 months had higher gingival index scores, deeper mean probing depths (3.7 mm vs 2.4 mm; P=0.01) and more severe attachment loss (2.4 mm vs 1.5 mm; P=0.015) compared to non-users.

Conclusions: Current users of oral contraceptives had poorer periodontal health compared to non-users. Oral contraceptives may increase the risk of severe gingivitis after 12 months of use. Periodontal disease is not a contraindication for oral contraceptives, but the maintenance of a good oral hygiene should be encouraged, especially the reduction of dental plaque.