Objectives: Combined oral contraceptives are used for the management of hyperandrogenism and menstrual abnormalities in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). There is a dearth of literature addressing the effect of ethinyl estradiol/norethisterone acetate (EE/NETA) on gingival and systemic inflammation in these patients. This randomized trial aims to evaluate the effect of EE/NETA with and without scaling on periodontium and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in women with PCOS having gingivitis.
Methods: Women having PCOS along with gingivitis were randomly divided into two groups: Test Group (TG, n=30) received EE/NETA + scaling with oral hygiene instructions (OHI) and Control Group 1 (CG1, n=30) received EE/NETA + OHI. Another Control Group (CG2, n=30) consisting of systemically healthy females having gingivitis and who were age and BMI matched with the test group participants received scaling along with OHI. Periodontal and anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline, 3 months and 6 months follow-up. Serum hsCRP levels were also estimated.
Results: Serum hsCRP levels and periodontal parameters were significantly decreased in all the groups after 6 months (p≤0.05). The decrease in hsCRP levels was similar among the groups (p>0.05). Significantly more reduction in gingival inflammation was observed in TG compared to CG1 (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: EE/NETA used alone and with scaling showed no detrimental effect on gingiva and could reduce systemic and gingival inflammation in women with PCOS having gingivitis.