Influence of menstrual cycle and salivary ß-estradiol on volatile sulfur compound

Background: ß -estradiol is a steroid sex hormone that plays important role in oral physiology. the aim of this study was to determin the association of the menstrual cycle and salivary ß-estradiol with the production of volatile sulfur compounds (vsc).methods: in this cross-sectional study, twenty female dental students in good oral and general health were recruited for evaluation of vsc, salivary flow, ß-estradiol concentration, oral dryness feeling and dysmenorrhea. data were analyzed by marginal homogeneity test and xtgee model.results: the only covariates that significantly related to vsc were being at the follicular phase (b = -0.21, p = 0.02), being at the pre-menstrual phase (b = -0.25, p = 0.01), stressfulness (b = 0.02, p = 0.01) and oral dryness feeling(b = 0.34, p = 0.02). salivary ß-estradiol was at the level of 59.7 ± 31.2 in those having halitosis (vsc ≥ 75) while in the others (vsc < 75) it was about 40.8 ± 18.0 (p < 0.009). this difference was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis.conclusions: the menstrual cycle, stress and oral dryness were the most important determinants of halitosis. the salivary ß-estradiol level could not explain such relationship as its effect was eliminated considering the other factors