Temporomandibular disorder-induced pain tied to menopausal symptoms

Pain caused by temporomandibular disorder (TMD) appears to be related to menopausal symptoms, especially among women in the late menopausal transition, a study has found.

This cross-sectional study included a total of 74 women with TMD symptoms. They were grouped into three based on the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW + 10) criteria: G1 (n=25, late menopausal transition), G2 (n=30, early postmenopause), and G3 (n=19, late postmenopause).

Researchers collected sociodemographic data and evaluated menopausal symptoms (Blatt-Kupperman menopausal index) and TMD-induced pain (craniomandibular index). They performed statistical analysis using a chi-squared test and linear correlation tests (Spearman and Pearson).

The G1 group reported a more intense TMD-induced pain than the G3 group (p=0.0426), with the intensity of TMD-induced pain correlating with menopausal symptoms (p=0.0004). This correlation was more pronounced during the late menopausal transition (G1: p=0.0267).

Meanwhile, in the G2 group, schooling showed a major influence on symptoms in early menopause. Women with <4 vs >4 years of schooling experienced a more intense menopausal symptoms (mean difference in total Blatt-Kupperman menopausal index score, 17.0) and TMD-induced pain (mean difference in craniomandibular index, 0.29; p=0.02 for both indices).

The findings underscore the importance of performing a TMD assessment during the climacteric period.