Randomised trial, 2005
Does pain during dental treatment change depending on where a woman is in her menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women experienced significantly more pain during the peri-menstrual phase (menstruation or pre-menstruation) than during the post-menstrual phase (mid-cycle).
What they did
20 women with moderate-to-advanced chronic gum disease and regular menstrual cycles received two gum debridement (cleaning) treatments, one during the peri-menstrual phase and one during the post-menstrual phase, in random order. Pain was measured on a scale after each treatment.
What they found
The median pain score was 22.0 mm during the peri-menstrual phase and 15.2 mm during the post-menstrual phase. Women experienced significantly more pain during their peri-menstrual phase than post-menstrual phase. The order in which women had their treatments did not affect the result.
What it means for you
Pain sensitivity may be higher during menstruation and the days before it. Women might consider scheduling non-urgent dental work for mid-cycle when they may experience less pain. However, this was a very small pilot study (only 20 women), so results cannot be generalized to all women yet.
22.0
Pain score peri-menstrual (median)
15.2
Pain score post-menstrual (median)
20
Women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of the menstrual cycle on pain experience associated with periodontal therapy: randomized, pilot study
- Authors
- Ozçaka O, Biçakçi N, Köse T
- Journal
- Journal of clinical periodontology
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Gum debridement treatment scheduled during different menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051x.2005.00841.x
Topics
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