Average age of first menstruation and how parents should handle it

If you have a daughter, inevitably, she will come to you at some point, breaking that her menstrual cycle has started. It’s unlikely that she will call it a ‘menstrual cycle’ but whatever she says, respond calmly. You can’t help freaking out within but handling it in a composed manner will normalise it for your child.

Menarche: The onset of menstruation

Bengaluru based Dr Prathima Reddy MBBS, MRCOG (London), FRCOG (London), FACOG (USA), Director, Senior Obstetrician and Gynaecologist- Fortis La Femme Hospital, Richmond Road explains, “Menarche is the onset of menstruation for the time. There is no right age for menarche, but the receding age at menarche seems to be a universal trend. Previously it was 14-16 years, but now in the middle class and above socio economic strata of girls it is 12-13 years. In a smaller group of children, the age at menarche is even less. Early menarche has sociocultural, emotional and health consequences. It can predispose to diseases such as cancers, heart disease.

Dr Sarada M, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist,Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad adds, “As the human race is evolving, the age of menarche is becoming earlier. If girls don’t start periods by the age of 14 then we should worry and consult a doctor for further tests. If girls develop periods before age of 8 it is early menarche and should consult a doctor. If a girl starts her period before the age of 6, then it is definitely alarming and should be…