By stimulation of the activity of aromatase, the level of oestrogen synthesised in leiomyoma smooth cells increases, promoting cellular proliferation; this results in the development of uterine leiomyoma37,38 Since periodontitis is known to induce chronic low-grade systemic inflammation5, it is reasonable to assume that non-treated SP may have contributed to aromatase overexpression, resulting in the development of uterine leiomyomas. The gene discussed is CYP19A1; the disease is leiomyoma.