This alarming trend is for dads who have full or primary custody of their young daughters. It’s important for you to be aware of this trend and feel comfortable talking to your daughters about it, especially if mom is not around.
Girls in the U.S. are starting their periods earlier than they used to. A new study found that in the 2000s, girls were starting their periods at around 11.9 years old, which is earlier than in the 1950s and ‘60s when it was around 12.5 years old. More girls are also getting their period before the age of 9, which is considered very early.
Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, who co-authored the study, says it’s important to educate parents and caregivers about this trend so they can prepare their children. She says that starting your period at a young age can be confusing, and there is still a lot of stigma and silence around it.
The study used data from over 71,000 women who were asked to remember when they started menstruating. They found that the trend towards earlier periods was seen across all demographics, but it was more pronounced among girls from racial and ethnic minorities and those from lower incomes.
Starting your period earlier is linked to several health risks, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, miscarriage, and cancer. Researchers say that understanding these changing trends in menstruation is important because it can be a sign of overall health.
Factors like obesity, stress, and exposure to chemicals in the environment are thought to play a role in the earlier onset of puberty and menstruation. Eating a healthy diet, staying active, and getting enough sleep can help moderate some of these risk factors.
Parents should talk to their children about menstruation and be prepared for it to happen earlier than expected. By being mentally prepared, both parents and children can navigate this important milestone with confidence.
