Periodontal Medicine and women's health- a review

Periodontal medicine has emerged as a significant link between oral health and systemic wellbeing, with particular relevance to women across different stages of life. Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause influence the composition of periodontal tissues, immune responses, and microbial ecology, thereby modifying susceptibility to periodontal diseases. Conversely, chronic periodontitis has been associated with adverse women’s health outcomes, including polycystic ovarian syndromerelated inflammation, gestational complications, preterm low birth weight, and potential interactions with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. This review synthesizes current evidence on the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and women’s health, highlighting pathophysiological mechanisms such as hormonal modulation of host response, systemic inflammatory burden, and microbial translocation. Understanding these interactions underscores the need for interdisciplinary care between dental and medical professionals. Early diagnosis, preventive periodontal therapy, and lifestyle modification play a vital role in reducing systemic risks and improving overall reproductive and general health in women. Further longitudinal studies are required to clarify causal pathways and optimize targeted interventions.