Evaluation of gustatory function in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the gustatory function in postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Whole mouth taste test and spatial taste test were administered to 20 postmenopausal women (Group 1) and 20 age-matched male subjects (Group 2). Further investigations were carried out for subjective assessment of taste alteration and nutritional differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal periods. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in sucrose perception and in palatal sensitivity in postmenopausal women (p<0.05). Only 7(35%) of the female patients noticed alteration in taste perception during the postmenopausal period. Alteration in dietary habits after menopause was reported by 9 (45%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that taste perception of the tongue does not change, but that there is a disorder in palatal perception in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, there is tendency to preference of sweeter foods during menopause.