The onset of menstruation, or menarche, among girls in the United States is occurring at a younger age than in previous generations. This rise is being seen particularly among racial minority and lower-income individuals. This concerning trend has prompted scientists to delve deeper into understanding the factors influencing this shift.
When Are Girls Getting Their First Period: The Study
There has been a concerning trend over the last few decades in relation to the age at which girls are starting menses, aka getting their first period. Girls are experiencing menarche at younger and younger ages, and their periods are taking longer to become regular. This is an important issue as it is a red flag regarding the health of women and girls, and has potential consequences for their future health.
To shed light on this phenomenon, researchers utilized the Apple Women’s Health Study dataset, comprising 71,341 participants who self-reported their age at menarche, race, and socioeconomic status. The study divided participants into five age brackets ranging from 1950 to 2005 and categorized early, very early, and late menarche. Very early refers to younger than 9 years of age, early being younger than 11, and late being 16 and older. Additionally, a subset of participants reported the time that it took for their menstrual cycles to become regular. There was a significant decrease in the number of girls whose periods became regular within two years of menarche. Furthermore, another subset provided their Body Mass Index (BMI) at the age of menarche, in an attempt to identify trends that are correlated between these two data sets. This extensive data analysis provided valuable insights into the changing landscape of menarche in the US.