Scientists finally know why girls are getting their periods at a younger age now
Topics: Health, Periods, Science, Women's Health, Parenting
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock images
Topics: Health, Periods, Science, Women's Health, Parenting
New research shows that girls are starting their periods younger than ever before, but parents are curious to know why.
A new study conducted in the US has revealed that girls are getting their periods about six months earlier on average than they did in the 1950s and 60s.
And while the age of a woman's first menstruation varies massively depending on a whole host of contributing factors, more education is needed to prepare girls for what they can expect.
After all, there are a lot of unanswered questions.
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The journal JAMA Network Open stated that more girls are starting their period before the age of nine, which is considered extremely early.
The study’s co-author Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, explained: "The younger you are when you get your first period, it's very confusing.
"There's still a lot of stigma and silence around it."
She added: "It's important to educate caregivers, parents, and care providers on this trend so that we can also prepare our children."
The study is based on the experiences of 71,000 women.
Researchers found that on average, menstruation was starting at 11.9 years of age in 2000 to 2005.
This is down from 12.5 years of age in the period between 1950 to 1969.
The age of your first period tells more about your general health than you might think.
Lauren Houghton, an assistant professor of epidemiology who wrote a commentary accompanying the new study, said: "If someone reaches their first period before the age of 12, they are at a 20 percent increased risk for breast cancer."
“When we're looking for causes or explanations, it's not just one thing. It's multiple factors,” Houghton said.
Obesity is one contributing factor that leads girls to start their periods sooner, but stress can also be another reason.
She added: "When we have higher stress we get higher cortisol hormones, we get higher androgen hormones.
"And fat tissue converts those hormones into estrogen. And it's estrogen which signals the body to grow breasts."
Ensuring children are eating a balanced diet can minimise the chances of puberty starting early, as well as exercise and a good amount of sleep per night.
The professor also warned parents not to be shocked if their child's period comes sooner than expected - adding that being 'mentally prepared' is key.