Glossodynia as an oral manifestation of sex hormone alterations.

Oral inflammation occurs during puberty, pregnancy, menses, and therapy with hormones (especially oral contraceptive agents), and other medications such as phenytoin. Alterations of the oral environment result from fluctuations of plasma and salivary sex steroids. The ratio of the sex steroids to one another, and their absolute concentration, determine the amount of prostanoid and peroxidase production and salivary flow. These relationships are complex and are not readily predictable; however, they are reproducible in both humans and animals. The sex steroids exert profound effects on the function of many nonsexual organs; particularly the skin, bone, liver, salivary glands, and oral tissues. We reviewed the currently available information concerning sex steroid action on salivary glands and oral epithelium. In light of the dramatic drop in sex steroid levels at menopause, the purely psychogenic nature of glossodynia or burning mouth (stomatopyrosis), first manifested at menopause, requires further consideration and study.