The Effect of Menopause on the Periodontium- A Review

Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone are responsible for physiological changes in women at specific phases of their life. Menopause is associated with symptoms of estrogen deficiency. Estradial levels fall gradually in the years before menopause. Levels of follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) begin to rise and the levels of sex hormones begin to fluctuate. This causes changes in the periodontium like xerostomia, burning sensation in the oral mucosa, bleeding on probing and brushing, bad taste and alveolar bone loss. The most significant problem seen during menopause is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and fragility causing an increase in fracture risk. There is a reduction in bone mass caused by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation, favouring resorption resulting in demineralization of bone.