Menopause mouth

Aim

Objective

This article meets GDC development outcomes C and D.

Gender language

This article complies with the British Menopause Society Gender Language Policy (British Menopause Society, 2024) and uses the word ‘woman’ (and the pronouns ‘she’ and ‘her’) to describe patients or individuals whose sex assigned at birth was female, whether they identify as female, male, or non-binary.

Introduction

‘Menopause mouth’ is a term used to describe the various oral symptoms experienced by women during and after the menopause, which may be unexpected and go unrecognised as being linked to the menopause.

Poor oral health during the menopause years may adversely affect women’s quality of life. However, steps may be taken to improve oral health during the menopause with the aim of reducing or preventing oral health issues. Oral health professionals such as dental nurses and oral health practitioners are well placed to provide the appropriate oral health education and advice to menopausal patients.