Salivary Progesterone Levels in Female Patients with a History of Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Idiopathic scoliosis is a condition characterized by a three-dimensional curvature of the spine. However, in addition to the spinal curvature, it has also been reported that patients with idiopathic scoliosis can display other abnormal physiologic parameters, such as hormone imbalances, genetic variants, and micronutrient deficiencies. The present study evaluates the salivary progesterone levels from a historical cohort of patients seeking treatment at a single integrative medicine clinic. A group of female patients with a history of idiopathic scoliosis is compared to a group of non-scoliosis female patients. Salivary progesterone levels were 49% higher in non-scoliosis patients compared to the scoliosis group (p < 0.05). When compared by the menstrual cycling status, non-scoliosis females had a 60% higher average progesterone level, while the progesterone level among non-cycling, non-scoliosis females was 39% higher than non-cycling scoliosis females. These results suggest a potential relationship between salivary progesterone and idiopathic scoliosis among female patients.

Differences in Pubertal Curve Progression among Females with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Pregnenolone Therapy: A Retrospective Case-Controlled Series

“…Although the relationship between progesterone and scoliosis is unclear, this study is consistent with previous findings that female patients with scoliosis show significantly different levels of salivary progesterone compared to non-scoliotic control patients [16]. In adolescence, the chief roles of progesterone are to influence the development of long-term memory, including central pattern generators within the central nervous system [17], as well as mediate the signaling of peak bone mass development as a child nears skeletal maturity [18].…”

“…It is known that the risk of curve progression occurs chiefly between Risser stages 0-2, where bracing is typically recommended [1]. Morningstar also reported that scoliosis patients show lower salivary progesterone levels compared to non-scoliotic patients [16]. Progesterone serves to help regulate menstrual cycles, and perpetually lower progesterone can impact or delay menarche [22], which is a known risk factor for curve progression over a longer period of time [23].…”

Applying the Functional Medicine Model to Idiopathic Scoliosis Management: A Narrative Mini-Review

“…Finally, Morningstar and Strauchman [21] observed that female patients without idiopathic scoliosis had 49% more salivary progesterone than that of their scoliosis peers. When examining across the lifespan, their levels remained different until post-menopause.…”