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Queiroz CS, Hayacibara MF et al. Eur J Oral Sci 2002; 110: 337–340

In this study, 71 dental undergraduates were examined 1 week before a biochemistry exam, on the day and 1 week after; 23 women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were also compared with 27 who did not suffer from it, during non-menstrual, premenstrual and menstrual stages of their cycle.

Respective mean oral volatile sulfur-containing compound (VSC) measurements in the students were 74, 113 and 64 ppb, with the exam day measurement significantly higher; corresponding mean unstimulated salivary flow rates were 052, 032 and 057 ml/min., with the exam day measurement significantly lower. Respective VSC means for PMS women were 57, 78 and 81 ppb with the last 2 scores significantly higher; for non-PMS women, scores were 54, 54 and 76 ppb, with the groups significantly different at the premenstrual score. However, salivary flow did not differ between groups at any stage, or within either group.

The authors consider that both endocrine and psychophysiological factors are related to oral VSC production.