Relationship between Recurrent Aphthae Stomatitis and Reproductive Hormones

Recurrent Aphthae Stomatitis (RAS)is a common disease with unknown specific etiology. One of its predisposing factors is hormonal imbalance which is related to menstrual cycle. RAS has been reported to occur twice more often in women compared to men. Objectives: To compare the women reproductive hormone level between RAS and Non RAS patients. Methods: A case control study involving 80 women, 40 with RAS and 40 Non RAS from Oral Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Indonesia was performed. The inclusive criteria were women within the reproductive age (15-40 years old). Patients undergoing any hormonal therapy, hysterectomy and ovarianectomy were excluded. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and the blood level of five reproductive hormones was recorded from blood. On the 7^th days of the menstrual cycle, Estradiol, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactine, Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were measured and Progesterone was measured on the 21^st day. Result: the hormonal level in both groups were within normal range for Estradiol (48-309 pg/ml), LH (1-18 mIU/ml), Prolactine (1.39-24.2 ng/ml)and FSH(4-30 mIU/ml). A higher precentage of the women with RAS had a Progesterone hormone level lower than normal than that of women without RAS (72.5% vs 45%, p=0.013). From the interview it was apparent that family history of having RAS is significant in the RAS group compared to Non RAS group (p=0.002). Conclusion: Lower than normal Progesterone hormon level is a predisposing factor for RAS in women.