Hormone replacement therapy and some salivary antimicrobial factors in post- and perimenopausal women.

Objectives: The effect of hormone replacement therapy (Cyclabil) on non-immunoglobulin (peroxidase) and immunoglobulin (total IgA, IgG, IgM) antimicrobial factors as well as on total protein and microorganisms in whole saliva was assayed in 19 postmenopausal and 8 perimenopausal women.

Methods: Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected before as well as 3 and 5 months after the onset of the treatment. Time- and group-related differences between post- and perimenopausal women were analyzed.

Results: Peroxidase and total protein output per min increased significantly (P = 0.004 and 0.001) during the treatment in both groups. No significant time- or group-related differences in the mean concentrations of the respective variables were found. The mean concentrations of salivary IgA and IgG showed a significant time-related decrease in both groups (P = 0.012 and 0.010). Salivary IgM concentration in perimenopausal women also showed a significant time-related decline (P = 0.017) and the difference in changes of salivary IgM between the two groups was significant (P = 0.033). Total IgA output per min increased in perimenopausal whereas it decreased in postmenopausal women (interaction; P = 0.021). Hormone treatment had no effect on the amount of salivary bacterial floras.

Conclusions: The composition of saliva in post- and perimenopausal women was found to be estrogen-dependent. The second finding was that all women participating in the study reported a sense of enhanced oral well-being including relief of oral dryness.