RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between menopausal symptoms and pain caused by temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and the impact of sociodemographic factors on the association. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 74 women with TMD symptoms were enrolled and divided into three groups according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW + 10) criteria: G1 (nâ=â25, late menopausal transition), G2 (nâ=â30, early postmenopause), and G3 (nâ=â19, late postmenopause). Sociodemographic data were collected, along with data on menopausal symptoms (Blatt-Kupperman menopausal index) and TMD-induced pain (craniomandibular index). Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-squared test and linear correlation tests (Spearman and Pearson). RESULTS: Analysis of the three groups showed that TMD-induced pain was more intense in G1 than in G3 (Pâ=â0.0426, râ =â0.2364, r2â=â0.05589), and menopausal symptoms correlated with the intensity of TMD-induced pain (Pâ=â0.0004, râ =â0.4020). This correlation was more significant during the late menopausal transition (G1: Pâ =â0.0267, râ =â0.4427, r2â=â0.1960). In G2, women with fewer than 4âyears of schooling had a higher total Blatt- Kupperman menopausal index score (17.0â±â85.0) and craniomandibular index (0.29â±â0.23) than women with more than 4âyears of schooling (Pâ =â0.02 for both indices). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TMD-induced pain and menopausal symptoms are correlated, and more strongly so in the late menopausal transition. Additionally, sociodemographic factors, such as schooling, have a major influence on symptoms in early postmenopause. Performing the TMD evaluation during the climacteric period may be important.