Burning tongue syndrome is a very painful menopause symptom that causes pain in the mouth.
What does the term ‘burning tongue’ refer to? Burning tongue in menopause refers to a very, very painful symptom characterised by a burning sensation in your mouth. This can include the roof of the mouth, gums, lips, and sides of the mouth, but the back two-thirds and the tip of the tongue are the most commonly affected sites.
While burning tongue syndrome occurs in both men and women, it is significantly higher in women than in men (7:1), especially women aged 50-70. It typically occurs around the menopausal time period; from approximately 3 years prior to menopause to as long as 12 years’ post-menopause.
This article provides’ an overview of burning tongue syndrome.
What Is Burning Tongue Syndrome and What are the Causes?
Burning tongue syndrome is a condition characterised by a burning sensation in the tongue and/or other mouth membrane without any identifiable oral lesions or other visible clinical causes. The most common medical term for the condition is glossodynia. The pain is often experienced on the tip of the tongue or roof of the mouth.
The sensations associated with burning tongue syndrome from menopause generally occur in several different patterns that vary in intensity and consistency. These patterns include pain that:
- Occurs every day, starting with minimal burning in the morning and increasing in pain/discomfort through the day until reaching maximum intensity in the evening
- Starts as soon as you wake, and continues all day long
- Comes and goes throughout the day, with some symptom-free days
Symptoms may suddenly disappear on their own or change in frequency, while sensations may in some individuals be temporarily relieved by eating or drinking. Regardless of the pattern, burning mouth syndrome can last anywhere from months to years, with no known precipitating factor or event prior to onset.
Studies suggest hormonal changes play a causal role in burning tongue syndrome,
Other possible causes include;
- Medications
- Smoking
- Nerve damage
- Food allergies
- Dental issues
- Poor diet and/or vitamin deficiencies
- Reflux and gastric disorders
What causes Burning Tongue?
Oestrogen is an important contributor in the production of saliva and during menopause the resulting decline in oestrogen production can result in the inability to create sufficient saliva resulting in a burning tongue or mouth. While the condition can occur in younger people, it is generally more common in women in their 40’s and older. Pain can be gradual, spontaneous or sudden, and can be related to a preceding event such as anxiety or depression.
Burning tongue syndrome can affect your quality of life by causing constant or intermittent pain.