Possible role of estrogen in temporomandibular disorders in female subjects: A research study

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common pain conditions that have the highest prevalence among women of reproductive age. The high prevalence of TMD pain among women, pattern of onset after puberty, and lowered prevalence rates in the postmenopausal years suggest that female reproductive hormones play an etiological role in TMDs. Aims and Objectives: To assess the possible role of estrogen in female subjects with temporomandibular disorders. Materials and Methods: A total of 195 subjects were examined for the study and divided into two groups: TMD positive and TMD negative subjects, which were further divided into women of reproductive age (20-40 years) and postmenopausal women. The serum estrogen (β-estradiol) level was estimated in both the groups. In reproductive women, the serum estrogen level was estimated in the follicular phase. Conclusion: A statistically significant association was found between the female sex hormone estrogen (β-estradiol) level and temporomandibular disorders