In the 1800s, girls typically got their first period (menarche) much later than today, with the average age often cited around 17 years old, though it varied, sometimes ranging from 14 to 18, a significant delay compared to the modern average of around 12. This later onset was linked to poorer nutrition and harsher conditions during the industrial era, with better food and living standards gradually bringing the age down in the 20th century.
In the classical, as well as in the medieval years, the age at menarche was generally reported to be at approximately 14 years, with a range from 12 to 15 years.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed.
Is it normal for children to get their period before the age of 13? The average age of a first period is 12.4 years old. So, almost half of girls get their period before age 13. But some people get their first period at age 9 or 10.
In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Galea Testa said that at the turn of the century, in 1900, the average age for menarche stood at 16 or 17, while now girls are getting their periods as early as 11 or 12, and in some cases even as young as nine.
Menarche usually happens 2 to 2 to 2½ years after your breasts begin to develop. You can get your period as early as 9 or as late as 15. Many factors influence when menarche begins, but it's common to get your period at around the same time your mother did.
If a girl starts menstruation at a young age, it's usually because the hormones in her body responsible for puberty are being produced earlier.
In the United States, it may seem like more and more girls are hitting puberty early. This trend may be related to the increasing rate of obesity in the country. Researchers link a higher body mass index (BMI) to early breast development. Eating a lot of processed, high-fat foods may cause early puberty.
Having an earlier or later first period is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Some children may have their first period when they are just nine years old. Similarly, some people might not get their period until they are 15 or 16, especially if other female family members were “late bloomers.”
If your daughter hasn't had her first menstrual cycle by 15, or if more than three years have passed since she started developing breasts, she should see a physician.
What You Can Do
Although trends are apparent in both sexes,1 the evidence in females (where biological markers are clearer) suggests that, for instance, in northern Europe the age at menarche (first menstruation) fell during the 1800s, then further reduced by up to 3 years over the last century (fig 1).
Using the calendar method, the Amish typically begins tracking her menstrual cycles for several months to establish the length of her average cycle. She then identifies the period of her menstrual cycle when she is most likely to ovulate based on the number of days before and after her average cycle length.
Precocious puberty is less common in boys, and more likely to be related to another medical problem. Some very young girls (usually from 6 months to 3 years old) may show breast development that later disappears or may last but without other physical changes of puberty.
The oldest menstruating women were 57 yr old.
Yes, it's completely normal. During what's commonly referred to as second puberty, your cycle may shift in ways you didn't expect. Flow, frequency, and duration can all change as your hormones begin to fluctuate. This isn't a sign that something is wrong; it's your body adjusting and communicating in real time.
If no periods have occurred when a girl is older than 15, further testing may be needed. The need is more urgent if she has gone through other normal changes that occur during puberty. Being born with incompletely formed genital or pelvic organs can lead to a lack of menstrual periods.
Stick to the facts
You could explain menstruation by saying: As you grow into a woman, your body is becoming ready to have a baby. Every month or so, your ovaries start releasing hormones that cause the lining of your uterus (or womb that holds the baby) to build up because it is ready for a fertilized egg.
4. Tampons: A good option for active girls. There's no age limit for using tampons. If your daughter feels ready, she can use them from her first period.
Environmental conditions, particularly those in the family domain, influence girls' timing of puberty. Specifically, the absence of a biologically-related father has been shown to accelerate reproductive development.
There is usually nothing to be concerned about when your child starts their period at a young age. In young girls and young menstruators, the brain has simply signalled the pituitary gland to release hormones to the ovaries earlier than it should, which causes them to start menstruating.
But it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys. There's not usually any need to worry if puberty does not start around the average age, but it's a good idea to speak to your GP for advice if it starts before 8 or has not started by around 14.
Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
Additionally, there may be signs such as rapid height growth, pubic and underarm hair, acne, mood changes, and body odor. According to the Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Health, foods that can cause early puberty include fried foods; animal organs; soy milk; ready-to-eat foods, etc.
Any child, teen or young adult with menstrual periods can consider using medication to safely reduce or stop their periods. Sometimes doctors suggest menstrual suppression for medical reasons like heavy periods, painful periods or endometriosis.