Comparison of temporomandibular disorders between menopausal and non-menopausal women

Abstract

ObjectivesHormonal changes during menopause alter a woman's susceptibility to some disorders. Information regarding the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in menopausal women is limited in the literature. In this study, the prevalence and severity of TMDs were compared between menopausal and non-menopausal women.Materials and MethodsThe study included 140 women (69 premenopausal and 71 postmenopausal) 45 to 55 years of age that were examined in Shiraz Dental School, Shiraz in Iran. The Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (Di) was used to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.ResultsOccurrence of TMD was significantly higher in menopausal than non-menopausal women (P<0.001). All the TMD criteria based on Helkimo Di except range of mandibular movement were significantly more common in menopausal women. The range of mandibular movement was not significantly different between menopausal and non-menopausal women (P=0.178).ConclusionThe results from this study show that TMD can be considered more common and severe in menopausal than non-menopausal women. This finding indicates that, similar to other conditions in menopausal women such as arthritis and osteoporosis, TMD should be taken into consideration by dental and medical professionals.

Association of self-reported bruxism with temporomandibular disorders – Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) 1966 study

“…23 Menopausal women are more likely to have TMD than non-menopausal women, which supports a role for estrogen hormone levels in TMD. 24 It has also been explored that women suffering from TMD may have a greater number of progesterone and estrogen receptors in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structure. 25 The strong association between TMD and women can also be explained by the fact that during clinical examination, women are more sensitive to reporting pain than men.…”

Does temporomandibular disorder correlate with menopausal symptoms?

“…These, in turn, hinder the performance of vital functional acts, such as mastication, deglutition, and phonation. Such TMD-related implications end up having a negative impact on women's social and professional life, as well as on their quality of life, during menopause, 25 especially during the late menopausal transition. As shown in our data, these problems are mitigated in older women.…”

“…Similarly, in menopausal women, hormonal changes are characteristic of this stage (menopausal transition and postmenopause) and may affect the intensity of TMD-induced pain. There is some inconclusive evidence pointing to the interference of hypoestrogenism in TMD-induced pain and the influence of menopausal symptoms on the disorder 18,20,25 . However, in these studies, women were not separated according to the different stages, namely, (early and late) menopausal transition and (early and late) postmenopause .…”

“…There is some inconclusive evidence pointing to the interference of hypoestrogenism in TMD-induced pain and the influence of menopausal symptoms on the disorder. 18,20,25 However, in these studies, women were not separated according to the different stages, namely, (early and late) menopausal transition and (early and late) postmenopause . Hence, the primary objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of menopausal symptoms on the intensity of TMD-induced pain in women in their late menopausal transition (estrogen fluctuation), early postmenopause (a steeper decline in estrogen), and late menopause (stabilization of hypoestrogenism, atrophy of skin, and mucous membranes).…”

Prosthodontic Review On Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

“…In the mandible, the cortex of the mandibular angle is resorbed and gets thinner, but in the maxilla, it is negligible in the alveolar crest 1,4 . Menopausal women had a higher prevalence and severity of TMDs than non-menopausal women 24 .…”