Age of First Period Links to Long-Term Health Risks

The time when a woman experiences her first menstrual cycle may provide important insights into her future susceptibility to ailments such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and problems related to fertility, as indicated by research set to be shared on Sunday. ENDO 2025 at the Endocrine Society's yearly conference in San Francisco, California

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A research project from Brazil discovered that both early and delayed onset of menstruation—defined as the time when girls experience their first period—is associated with various health concerns. Girls who began their periods before turning 10 faced an increased chance of developing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive complications such as preeclampsia later on. On the flip side, those who started their period after the age of 15 were less prone to being overweight yet experienced greater likelihood of irregular menstrual cycles and specific cardiac ailments.

"New findings from a significant group of people in Brazil support the idea that starting puberty either earlier or later can lead to distinct lasting effects on health," stated researcher Flávia Rezende Tinano from the University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil.

Early onset of menstruation raises the likelihood of various metabolic and cardiovascular concerns, whereas later onset might offer protection from weight gain but could heighten specific cardiac and reproductive challenges. Many women recall the date of their initial period, yet they may remain unaware of how this event could indicate potential long-term health complications. Recognizing these connections enables women and healthcare providers to take a more preventive approach toward illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart ailments.

Tinano mentioned that the research represents one of the most extensive studies conducted in a developing nation, offering important insights into an area that has primarily been examined in more affluent countries. "It demonstrates how beginning and ending puberty at different times can influence a woman's lifelong health, particularly among groups that have not been adequately represented, such as those in Latin America," she noted.

The research was conducted within the framework of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil) and analyzed information from 7,623 female participants aged between 35 and 74. The timing of their initial menstrual cycle was classified into three groups: early (before age 10), average (between 10 and 15 years), or delayed (after 15 years). Researchers examined the participants' well-being using questionnaires, body assessments, laboratory analyses, and ultrasonic scans.

The research is entitled, "Early and Late Age at Menarche and Their Unique Cardiometabolic and Reproductive Effects: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health," and it will be shared on Sunday, July 13.

our research indicates that being aware of a woman's age when she had her first menstrual cycle may assist physicians in identifying individuals who are more susceptible to specific illnesses," tinano stated. "this data might lead to more tailored approaches for testing and preventing such conditions. additionally, it highlights the significance of comprehensive health education for young females and women, particularly in less developed regions.

Supplied by The Endocrine Society

This narrative first appeared on Medical Xpress .