Influence of horinonal contraceptives on the gingiva of women

Gestagen hormones commonly used as contraceptive in women, induce a hormonal situation which to some extent simulates pregnancy. The aim of the present investigation was to study the gingival conditions of women before and during 12 months of regular ose of contraceptive preparations. Two kinds of contraceptives were used: Delpregnin® and Gestadydral®. The mesial aspects of the gingiva of 5 maxillary incisors and canines were studied before beginning the experiment and after 2, 6, and 12 montks of hormone therapy. Jntracrevicolar sampling of gingival exudate was performed a.m. Brill (1959).
Both the Delpregnin-group and the Gestadydral-groiip showed an increase in amount of exudate during the 12 months. At the use of Delpregnin there was a gradual increase in exudation during tke first six months of hormone therapy. In the group using Gestadydral, no increase in amount of exudate could be noted during the first six months, whereas a significant increase of the gingival exudate occurred between the last two examinations.
The findings are discussed in view of current knowledge of gestagene hormone action on vascular permeability.