Influence of gender and menstrual cycle on volatile sulphur compounds production

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Oral malodour may be associated with menstruation.

Main

Calil CM, Lima PO et al. Arch Oral Biol 2008; 53: 1107–1112

In a well designed study, volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), salivary flow, and other measurements were compared in 14 women across their menstrual cycle with that in 17 men. All subjects were healthy, did not smoke and had excellent oral health. The authors concede that oral malodour is usually associated with periodontal disease. In the menstrual and premenstrual phases, VSC were significantly higher, whereas salivary flow was significantly lower, when compared with the follicular phase and those measurements recorded in men. In the Discussion, the authors suggest 'the lower VSC index found in men could be associated with androgens' and speculate on this possible implication.