Periodontal diseases may affect reproduction
Researchers found that women undergoing ovulation induction for infertility
treatment for more than three menstrual cycles experience higher gingival
inflammation, bleeding and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). This study appeared
in a recent issue of the Journal of Periodontology. In this study, the gingival
inflammation levels of women undergoing infertility treatment and subjected to
ovulation induction were investigated and compared with women who were not using
these drugs. It found that despite similar plaque levels, women who received
ovulation induction medications for more than three menstrual cycles had higher
levels of gingival inflammation, bleeding and GCF. GCF is a fluid that contains
enzymes and tissue breakdown products that have been examined as potential
markers for the progression of periodontitis.
"These effects are presumably correlated with the increased levels of
progesterone and estrogen," explains Dr. Cenk M. Haytac, Cukurova University,
Adana, Turkey. "Gingiva is a target tissue for estrogen since it contains
specific high-affinity estrogen receptors."
Several studies provided evidence that the presence of infection is associated
with unsuccessful embryo development and implantation failure in in vitro
fertilization patients. Since periodontal diseases are chronic bacterial
infections, the study suggests that periodontal status may also affect
reproduction success and the outcome of infertility treatment.
"It is reasonable to assume that if low levels of plaque are established and
maintained during the infertility treatment, gingival inflammation would not
effect the success of infertility treatment," said Michael P. Rethman, D.D.S.,
M.S., and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. "This would
require meticulous oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, perhaps at
the beginning of each menstrual cycle to ensure the presence of healthy gums."
Periodontal diseases are risk factors for several systemic conditions including
preterm low birthweight babies. "It will be interesting to see if further
intervention studies will determine the effects of periodontal status and the
periodontal therapy on the outcome of infertility treatment," said Rethman.
"A woman undergoing infertility treatment is often given drugs to stimulate the
ovaries to produce as many healthy follicles as possible to increase the chances
of conception," said Haytac. "This method has been used worldwide for more than
30 years, and the World Health Organization estimates that approximately 8% to
10% of couples worldwide experience some form of fertility problem."
From: www.medicalnewstoday.com
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