Hormonal fluctuations throughout the reproductive years play a crucial role in women's systemic and oral health. Estrogen and progesterone variations during menstrual cycles, contraceptive use, and preconceptional phases can significantly influence the condition of the oral mucosa, gingival tissues, and salivary composition. These hormonal changes may lead to clinical manifestations such as gingival inflammation, bleeding, swelling, and mucosal discomfort, even in the absence of significant plaque accumulation. This article reviews the physiological mechanisms linking hormonal activity to oral conditions, outlines common hormone-related oral pathologies, and presents current approaches for screening and managing such issues in women preparing for pregnancy. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early diagnosis and interdisciplinary care in the context of reproductive planning.

Hormonal fluctuations, oral health, reproductive-age women

Mariotti, A. (1994). Sex steroid hormones and cell dynamics in the periodontium. Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, 5(1), 27–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/10454411940050010201

Gursoy, M., Pajukanta, R., Sorsa, T., & Kononen, E. (2008). Clinical changes in periodontium during pregnancy and post-partum. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 35(7), 576–583. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2008.01234.x

Kornman, K. S., & Loesche, W. J. (1982). The subgingival microbial flora during pregnancy. Journal of Periodontal Research, 17(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0765.1982.tb00092.x

Mealey, B. L., & Moritz, A. J. (2003). Hormonal influences: Effects of diabetes mellitus and endocrine dysfunction on the periodontium. Periodontology 2000, 32(1), 59–81. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0906-6713.2002.03206.x

Figuero, E., Carrillo-de-Albornoz, A., Martín, C., & Herrera, D. (2013). Effect of pregnancy on gingival inflammation in systemically healthy women: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(5), 457–473. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12071

Gürsoy, M., Könönen, E., Pradhan-Palikhe, P., et al. (2010). Salivary cytokines and the association of pregnancy with gingivitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 37(6), 513–518. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01561.x

Han, Y. W. (2011). Oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes—What’s next? Journal of Dental Research, 90(3), 289–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034510381905

Laine, M. A. (2002). Effect of pregnancy on periodontal and dental health. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 60(5), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016350260248210

Soell, M., Elkaim, R., Tenenbaum, H., & Davideau, J. L. (2002). Cathepsin L expression in healthy and diseased human gingiva: Effect of hormonal status. Journal of Periodontology, 73(4), 424–430. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2002.73.4.424

American Dental Association. (2021). Women’s oral health: Hormonal influences and clinical care. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute