histopathological and histochemical study of the effect of oral contraceptives on the gingiva

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the gingival condition clinically, histopathologically and histochemically for 125 women regulary taking contraceptive pills and 50 women not using any hormonal mediation. Their ages ranged between 18-39 years. They were divided into 5 groups according to the duration of pills intake Group I 3months Group II 6 months Group III 9 months Group IV 12 months Group V 2 years. And control group. The gingival condition was estimated by scores of Loe and Silness [1963] and it was found that the greatest effect of hormonal contraceptive on the gingival occurred during the first 3 months of intake with a further, though less marked effect during the next threee months. Gingival scores tended to decrease after nine months of continuous medication, so that the score for women taking the pill for one or 2 years was similar to those for using it only three months. Calculus estimation was by Greene and Vermillion's oral hygiene index simplified showed no variation in amount between control and pill groups. Histopathological study showed increased formation of collagenous fibrous tissue, infiltrated with a few chronic infilammatory cells in the lamina propria and proliferation of endothelial cells. Histochemical study showed increased enzyme activity of acid mucopolysaccharide, Succinic dehydrogenase, adencsine triphosphatase, acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase as well as lipid content. So it can be concluded that gestagen may exaggerate gingival response to local irritants by disrupting cell activity