In a previous study, female subjects with healthy gingiva and male subjects (controls) participated in a study to determine if there was a change in bleeding upon probing (BOP) during the phases of the menstrual cycle. It was concluded that there was no significant change in BOP during menses or at other time points during the menstrual cycle. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if there is a change in BOP during menses among women who exhibit moderate gingival inflammation. Methods: Five medically healthy females (ages 19-40 yrs) with a regular menstrual cycle (28 +/- 2 days) were selected to participate in the study. Inclusion criteria were probe depths of £ 3mm with moderate gingival inflammation on at least 2 surfaces of each tooth as defined by the Gingival Index (GI). Each subject was evaluated for BOP using the GI on Ramfjord's Index Teeth and a plaque index (PI) was obtained using O'Leary's Plaque Control Record on day 1, 7 14 and 21 of their respective menstrual cycle for 2 complete cycles. Statistical analysis was performed using Repeated Measures ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Results:

	Mean PI % (SD)	Mean GI (SD)
Day 1	23.7 (20.5)	1.52 (0.13)
Day 7	26.6 (21.5)	1.54 (0.24)
Day 14	20.3 (13.8)	1.50 (0.06)
Day 21	19.2 (11.0)	1.53 (0.10)

Conclusion: We found female subjects who exhibit moderate gingival inflammation manifest no significant change in BOP during menses nor at other time points during their menstrual cycle. Gingival inflammation does not appear to be exasperated by the fluctuations in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

This study was supported by the Ohio State University Summer Student Research Program.

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