NEW YORK, May 30: A recent study of 71,341 women has raised concerns about the decreasing age at which girls start menstruating, particularly among certain racial and ethnic groups. The findings, part of the Apple Women’s Health Study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Apple, suggest that many girls and young women are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles for years, posing risks for various health issues including cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases like diabetes, and certain types of cancers.

Utilizing cycle tracking data from iPhones and Apple Watches, as well as surveys, the study aimed to better understand menstrual cycles, health risks, and gynecologic conditions. While the findings are not fully representative of the overall U.S. population due to recruitment from social media, they reflect trends observed in other research, including a 50-year examination of menstruation age among White and Black women.

The study revealed a concerning decrease in the average age of first menstruation, dropping to 11.9 years among those born between 2000 and 2005 compared to 12.5 years for those born between 1950 and 1969. Participants identifying as Asian, non-Hispanic Black, or multiracial consistently reported earlier average ages of first periods than White participants.

Zifan Wang, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of addressing irregular menstrual cycles early, as they serve as indicators of future health events. The data also highlighted a higher proportion of girls experiencing very early periods, before the age of 11 or even 9, in recent years compared to earlier birth cohorts.

Shruthi Mahalingaiah, the study’s senior author, underscored the significance of early periods as markers for future health conditions, emphasizing the need for awareness and education among parents and healthcare providers. Factors contributing to the trend toward earlier periods include childhood obesity, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and poor diet, among others.

The study highlights the importance of early intervention and promoting health-promoting factors to mitigate the risks associated with early menstruation. As research continues to unveil the complexities of menstrual health, addressing these trends becomes paramount in safeguarding the well-being of girls and young women.