Understanding the Risks of Early Menarche: What You Need to Know

Anvitha’s little daughter was just 9 when she first complained about the pain in her breast area. Anvitha was stunned because she could understand it was the breast tissue developing in her little girl. But, at the age of 9?? Early Menarche is the new age problem, little girls are dealing with!

At 10, Anvitha’s daughter attained menarche. And Anvitha spent sleepless nights thinking how to teach a kid lessons on womanhood. How to teach a 10-year-old to be responsible about her periods. Caring about the blood spots, carrying a pad everywhere and avoiding unwanted attention from men?

Anvitha came to me for Ayurvedic consultation. She kept asking me all about early menarche. Why did it happen? How to deal with early menarche? If there is a risk associated with it?

There are a lot of girls especially in the urban cities who are attaining menarche early. But why is maturity coming early to kids.

Also Read: Why giving your mobile phone to your kid is the worst idea ever?

Early menarche age

The average age for menarche is about 12-13 years. But today, girls as young as 6 or 7 years are getting their first period which is an alarming situation. Increasing numbers of young girls at the age between 8 -10 years are reporting of menarche. 

Signs of Early Menarche

Menstruation is not the first sign of early puberty. The first signs of early periods are –

• Tender breast developments
• Pubic hair
• Armpit odour
• Armpit hair
• Acne 
• Moodiness

These are the first signs of puberty.

Is early menarche a bad thing?

Yes!!! Though puberty is a natural transition but early onset raises the risk for several factors. Emotional trauma, stress and confusion cloud their young developing personality. But that’s not it!! 

Early puberty and breast cancer

The young tender breast tissues are more vulnerable to environmental pollutants and chemicals. This links early menarche to breast cancer at a later stage in life.

Early maturity increases the risk for breast cancer by up to 30 per cent. Research revealed that the age of menarche delayed by a year can decrease the risk of premenopausal breast cancer by 9 per cent. And it can lower the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer by 4 per cent.

Early Puberty and reproductive cancer

Early puberty also triggers the process of estrogen manufacturing in the body. Now, estrogen plus stress is a known cancer-causing agent. Girls who hit their puberty early are exposed to numerous level of stress. An early-maturing girl produces more estrogen over the years which increase the risk of reproductive cancers.

What can possibly cause early menarche?

The largest known cause of early puberty is obesity. But it is not the only trigger. Toxic stress, physical assault or growing up without a biological father also increases the risk of early menarche. Environment factors, plastics, poor diet, exposure to excessive screen time and lack of sleep are also major contributors.

How to manage early menarche?

Emotional support is the most essential thing that girls attaining early menarche seek for. Honesty and openness in the child-parent relationship help a lot in making these stressful situations easy.

Body positivity and embracing uniqueness are important concepts that should be taught to the child at an early age. Encouraging a healthy diet, weight, disciplined routine and physical exercise is the key to good health. Last but not least, treating the child as per their cognitive age is the right approach!