Influence of combined oral contraceptives on the periodontal condition.
Most studies investigating the impact of oral contraceptives have been performed some years ago, when the level of sexual hormones was greater than the actual formulations.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of current combined oral contraceptives (COC) on periodontal tissues, correlating the clinical parameters examined with the total duration of continuous oral contraceptive intake.


METHODS
Twenty-five women (19-35 years old) taking combined oral contraceptives for at least 1 year were included in the test group. The control group was composed by 25 patients at the same age range reporting no use of hormone-based contraceptive methods. Clinical parameters investigated included pocket probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), sulcular bleeding index (SBI) and plaque index (Pl.I). Data were statistically evaluated by unpaired t test, Pearson's correlation test and Spearman's correlation test.


RESULTS
The test group showed increased PD (2.228±0.011 x 2.154±0.012; p<0.0001) and SBI (0.229±0.006 x 0.148±0.005, p<0.0001) than controls. No significant differences between groups were found in CAL (0.435±0.01 x 0.412±0.01; p=0.11). The control group showed greater Pl.I than the test group (0.206±0.007 x 0.303±0.008; p<0.0001). No correlation between the duration of oral contraceptive intake, age and periodontal parameters was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the use of currently available combined oral contraceptives can influence the periodontal conditions of the patients, independently of the level of plaque accumulation or total duration of medication intake, resulting in increased gingival inflammation.
Division of Periodontology, Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Roberta Santos
RS
Domingues
Bruna Fidêncio Rahal
BF
Ferraz
Sebastião Luiz Aguiar
SL
Greghi
Maria Lúcia Rubo de
ML
Rezende
Euloir
E
Passanezi
Adriana Campos Passanezi
AC
Sant'Ana
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010519:Periodontium / Q000187:drug effects*; D011372:Progestins / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D011372:Progestins; D004958:Estradiol