What the age at which you first menstruated indicates, according to studies

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The age at which a girl first menstruates is not simply a biological milestone; studies show that it is associated with several long-term health risks.

According to scientific research, women who got their first period before the age of 12 have a higher risk of several health problems, including breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, compared to those who got their period later.

What do the studies say?

Researchers from the University of Oxford have been studying the impact of the menstrual cycle on women's health for more than a decade. In 2012, they published their results in the scientific journal Circulation.

The study included:

- data from 117 international studies

- about 120,000 women with breast cancer

- over 300,000 women without this disease

The results showed that:

- early onset of menstruation affects the risk of breast cancer more than late menopause

- this suggests that early and prolonged exposure to sex hormones, especially estrogen, plays a key role

The role of hormones and body weight

The researchers noted that:

- girls of normal weight and good health usually have their first period around the age of 13

- childhood overweight and obesity are strongly associated with early menopause

This is related to the fact that adipose tissue affects estrogen production, accelerating hormonal maturation.

What about menopause?

Late menopause (when menstruation ends later in life) also increases the risk of breast cancer, because the body is exposed to estrogen for more years.

Other studies, including those by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, show that:

- women who started their period before the age of 11 have a 15–20% higher risk of breast cancer compared to those who started after the age of 15.

What is this study NOT?

- It is not a predetermined fate

- It's not a "personality secret"

- It's not magic or prediction

It is a health statistic, not an individual diagnosis.

What can a woman really do?

Although no one can change the age at which they have their first period, the risk can be significantly reduced by:

- maintaining a healthy weight

- alcohol restriction

- regular physical activity

- healthy lifestyle in general