The influence of progestogen on gingival exudation during menstrual cycles

The investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect on gingival exudation of a raised level of progestogen in young females by using the exudation during the normal menstrual cycle as a reference. Fourteen female student nurses aged 19 to 24 years participated in this study. Only the buccal mesial aspect of the upper incisor and canine teeth was examined. In no case did the depth of the gingival pocket exceed three millimeters, and the gingiva in the area of observation showed clinically only slight signs of chronic inflammation. Intra‐crevicular exudate samplings were carried out once every second day for a period of around 140 days. The hormone administration was not started until a period of time containing two phases of menstrual bleedings had elapsed. The results clearly show that the regular use of chlormadinone acetate, a synthetic preparation with a specific and marked progestogen effect, induces a gradual increase in the amount of gingival exudate obtainable on filter paper strips inserted into gingival pockets. The influence of the progestogen was most marked during the menstrual phase when the production of ovarian estrogens and progesterone is low.