Girls usually start menarche, or menstruation for the first time, between the ages of 9 and 14. In order for the first menstruation to occur, girls must show certain symptoms. During this period, called puberty, girls first start to grow taller. Depending on the increasing height, buds and prominences appear on the breasts. Depending on the puberty stage, pubescent girls also start to have hair in their genital areas. After all these symptoms, menarche, or the first menstrual bleeding, occurs.
However, in some cases, the first menstrual bleeding can be seen before the age of 9. This condition is called early puberty precocious, meaning menstruation at an early age. While there may be certain reasons for menstruation at an early age, sometimes it cannot be determined, and this is called an idiopathic condition.
Menstruation before the age of 9 usually occurs due to external medication use. However, sometimes there may be other underlying causes. This can also cause serious medical problems. Therefore, if a child menstruates before the age of 9, a doctor should definitely be consulted.
Some causes of early menstruation
Race Belonging to
The normal age for menstruation in young girls can be considered as 12-14. The age of menstruation in young girls can vary from race to race. In some races, menstruation at a much earlier age is considered normal.
Genetic Characteristics
Early menstruation may occur as a result of genetic characteristics passed down from the family, or due to early menstruation in the mother or older sister, or in the mother's sister (aunt).
Nutrition
Factors such as the change in the eating habits of children and adults compared to previous years, and the increase in the consumption of protein foods have decreased the age of puberty, and as a result, there has been an increase in cases of early menstruation. Weight can also have an effect on puberty and menstruation. Early menstruation may occur in overweight girls.
Hormone Disruptors
The decrease in the age of puberty should not be attributed solely to factors such as children's eating habits and genetics. Environmental factors, substances that disrupt the hormone system in the food we eat, the environment we live in, the objects we use, etc. may also be responsible for early puberty and early menstruation.
Illness
Although rare, causes of early menstruation may include brain tumors, brain abscesses and infections, adrenal gland tumors, ovarian tumors and diseases.
Other factors are;
Living in urban areas
Living at sea level, at low altitude
Living in areas close to the equator
The first menstrual period should occur by the age of 14. If a girl is not yet menstruating at the age of 14 and only has hair growth and breast growth, she can wait until the age of 16 to menstruate. If menstruation has not started by the age of 16, a doctor should be consulted immediately. There is a condition that needs to be treated. It is very normal for menstrual bleeding to be irregular during puberty. Sometimes it can even occur every 3-5 months.
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