Do hormones play a role in TMJ pain?
Terrie Cowley: Considering the fact that TMJ disorders predominately affect females, researchers began looking at the role female hormones play in TMJ disorders. Sex and gender studies in pain are one of the hottest areas of research. What we know is that there are estrogen receptors in jaw tissue and also in the brain, where the hormone can affect pain perception and interact with the brain’s own systems of pain control. Some of this control reflects how opioid receptors act and we know that females and males respond differently to various types of types of opioid receptors. Studies have shown that high levels of estrogen seem to improve pain control, while other studies show that women who take estrogen supplements – say, to treat menopausal symptoms – are at an increased risk for TMJ Disorders. Just as with your question about why more women suffer than men, I’d have to say future research, particularly in the area of genetics-gene expression, etc. will add to our knowledge base on
