Periodontal pathogen may interfere with conception in women

Presence of gum bacteria affects conception in women

The onset of gum disease should be a red alert for young women trying to conceive as latest research shows that a common periodontal pathogen may delay conception.

While previous studies held that periodontal (or gum) diseases are a general health risk, there was little research on no data on periodontal bacteria’s influence on conception. But the study by the University of Helsinki advises more caution.

“Our results encourage young women of fertile age to take care of their oral health and attend periodontal evaluations regularly,” said Susanna Paju, a periodontist, and researcher at the University, reported Science Daily.

The study population comprising of women from southern Finland—included 256 non-pregnant healthy women, with a mean age of 29.2 ranging from 19 to 42—who had stopped contraception to get pregnant.

Gynecological and clinical oral examinations were performed. Major periodontal pathogens in saliva and analysis of saliva and serum antibodies against most prevalent periodontal pathogens and also a vaginal swab for bacterial vaginosis at baseline were carried out.

The subjects of the study were again contacted to affirm if they did or did not conceive during the 12-month observation period.

Quantitative analysis indicated that porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium related to periodontal diseases, was considerably more frequently detected in the saliva among women who did not conceive pregnant during the one-year follow-up period compared to those who did. The range of serum and salivary and antibodies against this pathogen were also much higher in women who did not conceive.

Numerical analysis indicated that the data found was independent of other factors of risk affecting conception, such as current smoking, age, bacterial vaginosis, socio-economic status, clinical periodontal disease or previous deliveries.

Women who had P. gingivalis in the saliva and more serum or saliva antibodies against this bacterium had a three-fold risk for not conceiving vis-a-vis their counterparts. If clinical signs of periodontitis or more than one of these qualities and were present, the risk rose to four-fold.

“Our study does not answer the question on possible reasons for infertility, but it shows that periodontal bacteria may have a systemic effect even in lower amounts, and even before clear clinical signs of gum disease can be seen,” said Dr. Paju. “More studies are needed to explain the mechanisms behind this association.”

Infertility is a cause for concern for people, and increasingly infertility treatments require more health care resources. In this respect, more awareness is required to shed light on possible effects of periodontal diseases on health. Dr. Paju suggests that young women should take care of their oral health and hygiene generally—but especially when they plan to get pregnant.

Periodontitis is a bacterial inflammation of the tissue that holds up the tooth. It destroys the alveolar bone and tissue fibres that support the teeth, and one can lose one’s teeth. Periodontal diseases are a global healthcare issue. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2014, chronic periodontitis is the sixth most common medical condition.