The onset of the first menstruation in girls (menarge) – deserves special attention and occurs at the age of about 12 – 14 years. From this moment, the countdown of the so -called “gynecological age” is read, so Menarch can be considered a criterion for puberty.
Signs of menarche
In the previous months, before the appearance of the first menstruation in girls, short monthly pain in the abdomen is possible, the release of white is intensified.
Duration and number of discharge
The duration of the menstrual cycle in most girls is 28-30 days, menstruation (regulatory) lasts about 3-5 days (sometimes up to 7). Only in 80% the cycle is installed immediately, the rest have elongated and not stable intervals – from 1, 5 to 3 months, sometimes more. In some cases, this serves as a reason for seeing a doctor. The amount of blood secreted and the duration of the discharge are also individual, and may vary.
Age
Physiologically normal age at the time of Menarch in girls – from 9 to 15 years. The average age of 13 years is considered to be average for this. The onset of menstruation earlier than 9 and later 15 years is a serious violation. In this case, examination and subsequent treatment are necessary.
Factors
There are many circumstances affecting the term of the onset of menarche. They are divided into:
insignificant (nationality, climate, accommodation in a certain geographical field);
The most significant (heredity, state of health, living conditions, constitution).
Regarding exogenous and endogenous factors affecting the menarch, there are many conflicting data. We are talking about the conditions of antenatal development: in the case of its unfavorable flow, significant deviations are possible during the puberty period. In girls with accelerated development in childhood, the probability of early menstruation increases.
Genetics
Genetic factors have a significant impact. According to some research, the same time twins has less the difference in time of the first menstruation than the bilinguals.
Climate
The dependence of the time of the onset of the first menstruation on temperature and climate is interesting. Modern studies refute the opinion that existed since ancient times that girls in hot climate, menstruation occurs earlier than in the cold northern countries. The age of the menarhe is approximately the same for both the first and the second. The only exception is the highland areas where menstruation comes a little later.
Stress
Stress is another factor that has an influence on the period of the menarch in girls. Strong stressful situations and emotional upheavals can delay puberty, and also lead to a disorder of the only beginning to form a menstrual cycle. Easy stress, on the contrary, can lead to an acceleration of puberty. This pattern is well illustrated by pets. Insulation of immature cubs from the mother, taking them in the arms and other similar manipulations lead to premature maturation.
Lighting
There is conflicting information about the impact on the described process of illumination and seasonality, but it is mainly experimental in nature. So, for example, earlier puberty in children in technically developed countries is associated with the widespread use of artificial lighting.
Season
The pattern of the beginning of the first menstruation in girls in the time of year is traced. In the winter season (January and February) – the highest frequency, in the summer (June and August) – the smallest.
Nutrition
Another main factor affecting the onset of menarch in girls is nutrition: inferior and meager leads to a delay in puberty, and the use of spices, salted, fatty and meat food accelerates this process.