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TO HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:

MEDIA ALERT: Injectable progesterone contraceptives may be associated

with poor periodontal health

Media OnlyTo schedule an interview with an AAP spokesperson or for more information, please contact Meg Dempsey at 312-573-3242 or meg@perio.org.

CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Injectable

progesterone contraceptives may be associated with poor periodontal

health, according to research in the Journal of Periodontology. The

study found that women who are currently taking

depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injectable contraceptive, or

have taken DMPA in the past, are more likely to have indicators of

poor periodontal health, including gingivitis and periodontitis, than

women who have never taken the injectable contraceptive. DMPA is a

long-lasting progestin-only injectable contraceptive administered

intermuscularly every three months.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the

gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Gingivitis, the mildest

form of gum disease, causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed

easily. Periodontitis is the most severe form of gum disease and can

lead to tooth loss. Additionally, research has associated gum disease

with other chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes,

cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The data for this study were obtained from the NHANES 1999-2004 public

use datasets. The participants chosen were non-pregnant, premenopausal

women aged 15-44 who had provided complete DMPA usage data, indicating

current usage of DMPA, past usage of DMPA, or no usage of DMPA at all.

All participants received a dental examination that noted clinical

attachment (CA) loss, periodontal pocket assessment at two or three

sites per tooth, and presence of gingival bleeding.

After adjusting for age, race, education, poverty income level, and

smoking status, the study found that current and past DMPA users had

significantly increased periodontal pockets, gingival bleeding, and CA

loss than women who have never used DMPA. Current DMPA users were more

likely to have gingivitis, while past DMPA users were more likely to

have periodontitis.

According to Dr. Pamela McClain, President of the American Academy of

Periodontology (AAP) and a practicing periodontist in Aurora,

Colorado, women currently taking DMPA or that have used DMPA in the

past should pay careful attention to their teeth and gums. "Hormones

can play a role in woman's periodontal health. These findings suggest

that women that use, or have used, a hormone-based injectable

contraception such as DMPA may have increased odds of poor periodontal

health. I would encourage women that use or previously used this form

of contraception to maintain excellent oral care, and to be sure to

see a dental professional for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation

on an annual basis."

For more information about periodontal disease, visit perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional

organization for periodontists - specialists in the prevention,

diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting

structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants.

Periodontists are also dentistry's experts in the treatment of oral

inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized

training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine

dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The

AAP has 8,400 members worldwide.

SOURCE American Academy of Periodontology

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/Web Site: http://www.perio.org

CO: American Academy of Periodontology

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