title: Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Menstruation, Pregnancy and Menopause on Salivary Flow Rate, pH and Gustatory Function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are five situations in a women's life during which hormone fluctuations make them more susceptible to oral health problems - during puberty, at certain points in the monthly menstrual cycle, when using birth control pills, during pregnancy, and at menopause. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause on salivary flow rate, pH and gustatory function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on 120 patients including 30 controls (with normal menstrual cycle of 28 to 30 d) and 90 cases (30 patients within three days of menstruation, 30 pregnant and 30 postmenopausal). Paraffin-stimulated saliva samples were obtained by expectoration to calculate salivary flow rate, pH was measured electrometically and patients were prospectively evaluated for gustatory function. Then, whole mouth taste test was performed in which the quality identification and intensity ratings of taste solutions were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found between the groups with respect to salivary flow rate but pH values were significantly lower in post menopausal women (p<0.05). Regarding correct quality identification the results were non-significant. Intensity for taste perception for sucrose was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than intensity of taste perception for other tastes (p<0.05). Also, postmenopausal women reported change in their dietary habits as all of them expressed liking for sweeter food.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced salivary flow rate and pH in postmen-opausal women may make them more prone to the occurrence of oral health problems. Also, pregnant and postmenopausal women appeared to have a reduced perception of sucrose, which can alter eating habits, such as intake of more sweet foods whereas no significant difference is observed in taste perception of NaCl, citric acid and quinine hydrochloride between the subjects.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SGT Dental College , Gurgaon, India .
authors.forename: Pulin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saluja
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SGT Dental College , Gurgaon, India .
authors.forename: Vishwaprakash
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SGT Dental College , Gurgaon, India .
authors.forename: Aparna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dave
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SGT Dental College , Gurgaon, India .
authors.forename: Manpreet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SGT Dental College , Gurgaon, India .
authors.forename: Vibha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hans
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Surgery, Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madan
keywords: Gustatory function; Menopause; Menstruation; Pregnancy; Salivary flow rate; pH