10 Causes of Jaw Pain
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Cause #9: Hormonal Factors
Since it has been observed that females are more likely to have TMJD compared to their male counterparts, there are theories that the female hormone, estrogen, is involved. One study suggested that episodes of the most severe pain in TMJD can be correlated with changes in the circulating levels of estrogen. Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Female patients who have gone through menopause are also more likely to develop TMJD.
They also may have more severe symptoms, if they have existing TMJD, if they are treated with hormone replacement therapy. It has been proposed that estrogen may have a role in muscle reflexes to pain, modulation of joint inflammation, and nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal nerve.
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