Post-Endodontic Pain According to Menstrual Cycle Phases

This study aimed to evaluate whether the phase of the menstrual cycle affects pain after root canal treatment. A total of 99 patients (72 females and 27 males) who needed root canal treatment in lower molar teeth were included. Female participants were grouped according to their menstrual cycle phase: menstrual, proliferative, and secretory. All patients received the same endodontic treatment procedure under local anesthesia. Postoperative pain intensity was recorded using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 8 hours, 8-24 hours, 24-48 hours, and 48-72 hours after treatment. Analgesic (ibuprofen) use was also recorded. The results showed that women in the menstrual and secretory phases experienced higher pain levels than men, while pain levels in the proliferative phase were similar to those in men. The findings suggest that the menstrual cycle phase may influence short-term pain perception after root canal treatment.