Oral Contraceptive Use Is Associated With Increased Tenderness to Palpation in the Masticatory System in Female Adolescents—Results of the Epidemiological LIFE Child Study

Background The utilisation of oral contraceptives (OCs) has been demonstrated to be associated with the self‐reported occurrence of headaches in female adolescents. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the ingestion of OC was also associated with increased tenderness to calibrated palpation of the masticatory system. Methods A subsample of 111 female adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years from the LIFE Child study who were undergoing a general (with blood sample) and dental examination were included in the investigation. The presence of self‐reported headaches in the past month, as well as tenderness to calibrated palpation of the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), was evaluated using the DC/TMD. The determination of oestrogen (E), testosterone (T), and the sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was conducted through standardised laboratory analyses. In the statistical analyses, calculations were made employing logistic regression for comparisons regarding the risk experienced by female adolescents of positive tenderness to palpation and self‐reported headaches as a function of OC use. The analysis also incorporated consideration of age and body mass index (BMI). Results The prevalence of regular OC use among female adolescents was found to be 26 out of 111 (23.4%). A subsequent analysis revealed no statistically significant disparities in age or BMI when compared to non‐users. OC use was associated with a fivefold reduction in E, a 50% reduction in T and a threefold increase in SHBG. The prevalence of self‐reported headaches and tenderness to palpation in the masticatory system was found to be significantly higher in the OC group. In the multivariable models, these relationships were confirmed, regardless of age and BMI as potential confounding factors. For self‐reported headaches, OC presented a coefficient of around six and approximately three for tenderness to palpation. Age was an additional significant factor in tenderness to palpation (OR ≈ 1.7); this correlation was not observed in cases of headaches. Conclusion The use of OC has been demonstrated to enhance the likelihood of encountering self‐reported headaches and increased tenderness to palpation within the masticatory system in female adolescents. Consequently, the utilisation of OC in female adolescents with temporomandibular disorders warrants further consideration. Trial Registration Ethics Committee of the University of Leipzig (Reg. No. 264‐10‐19042010) on July 10, 2010 under the clinical trial number NCT02550236. A separate positive ethical vote has been granted for the dental aspects of the trial (01/272011) (Reg. No. 354‐10‐13122010)