Some parents, who are concerned about their daughters ‘growing up too early’, are trying to delay their child’s first period.
Articles on Menarche
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Most doctors ask about the menstrual cycle at well-checks in order to inquire about menstrual problems, pregnancy or menopause. Few recognize that menstruation is a cornerstone of overall health.
Uncertainty about how long symptoms will last can be tough for women going through hormonal changes that come with menopause. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear cut time frame.
Research shows that many girls are in elementary school when they have their first period. But often they have not received adequate health education.
Even though every second person will get their period, it can still come as a shock. Parents can help with good information and support.
When it comes to teaching about cycles in schools, the period dominates the story — but it’s important we teach about the ovulation part of the cycle, too.
Most affected women won’t be aware of the condition until puberty, when their first period never comes.
Be it because of concerns over big femcare, landfill, cost, toxic ingredients or toxic shock syndrome, some menstruators seek solutions outside of the Kotex box. These are those choices.
A new book on puberty has explored why we find it so difficult to talk about puberty, and why we need to start talking about it earlier.
Girls who have their first period at a young age are more likely to experience poorer health as a adult, including an elevated risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
Top contributors
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Senior Research Officer, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
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Associate Professor of Preconception Health and Care, University of Southampton
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Professor of Life Course Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland
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Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne
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Senior research fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
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Professor of Adolescent Health, Co-Head of the General Practice Clinical School, University of Sydney
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Nurse, Lecturer & Director of Post-graduate Studies in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University
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Researcher, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University
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Associate Professor of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
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Professor Emerita of Psychology, Retired, Chatham University
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Associate Professor of Medical Sociology, Kennesaw State University
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Research Co-Lead, Chronic Reproductive Health Conditions, Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide University
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PhD Candidate, Women's Health Imaging, Adelaide University