[Gynecological and obstetric problems in connection with stomatology]

Hormonal changes during pregnancy produce changes in the whole organism. Every fifth to seventh pregnant woman shows hyperplastic gum changes with tendency to bleeding. Changes due to pregnancy in the oral cavity are: lowered salivary flow rate, changes of the pH towards acidity and an increase in oestrogen contents of saliva, corresponding to the increase in plasma oestrogen. Dental procedures during the first months of pregnancy could be the cause of miscarriage in rare cases; after the 28th to the 30th week of pregnancy external influences can originate premature labour pains. Endocrinological changes during the menstrual cycle give risk to recognisable cycle-dependent changes in the oral mucosa; changes in the blood clotting mechanism are minimal, so that dental interventions can be practiced independent of the menstrual cycle and the occurrence of the menstrual period. The use of oral contraceptives (pills) leads to hypercoagulability of the blood clotting system. For bigger operative interventions it is advisable to normalise the clotting factors by stopping the pill for six weeks prior to planned intervention.