Turcio, Karina Helga LealGarcia, Alício RosalinoZuim, Paulo Renato JunqueiraSundefeld, Maria Lucia Marçal MazzaGoiato, Marcelo Coelhodos Santos, Daniela Micheline2018-06-272018-06-272014-04Pain Studies and Treatment, 2014, 2, 99-1052329-3276http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/pst.2014.22016http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1657The aim is to evaluate the influence of oral contraceptive intake and menstrual cycle on the electrical activity and pressure pain threshold from anterior temporal and masseter muscles. Twenty-eight women on reproductive age were selected, 13 OC users and 15 nonusers. They were weekly submitted to electromyography and algometry of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Electrical activities at rest position and PPTs of temporal and masseter muscles were not affected by menstrual cycle or by OCs uses. Comparison between groups demonstrated that working side electrical activity was increased in OC users in both muscles, except during lutheal phase for the anterior temporal. However, comparison within weeks did not demonstrate statistical difference. It was suggested that, in healthy women, oral contraceptive use may influence electrical activity, but different phases of the cycle may not.enMenstrual CyclePressure Pain ThresholdElectromiographyOral ContraceptivesSexual HormonesArticle