What the age of first period says about a woman

The age at which a woman experiences her first period, known as menarche, can provide surprising clues about her future health.

The studies Recent research suggests that women who start menstruating before the age of 12 are at greater risk of developing health problems such as heart disease and breast cancer.

Oxford University’s large study of age at first period

A comprehensive study by researchers at Oxford University, published in 2012 in the journal Circulationanalyzed data from 117 global studies. These studies included nearly 120,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 300,000 women without the condition. The results showed that the early onset of menstruation has a significant impact on the risk of breast cancermore than the time when menopause sets in.

According to Dr. Dexter Canoy, lead author of the study, “The size of our study, the wide range of ages and vascular diseases examined make it unique and informative”. Research has shown that childhood obesity, which is increasingly common in industrialized countries, is closely related to the early age of first menstruation.

The link between hormones and breast cancer risks

Dr. Gillian Reeves, of the Oxford University Cancer Epidemiology Unitexplained that the study helps to better understand how female hormones influence breast cancer risk. “We already knew that reproductive hormones have a major impact on breast cancer risk and that early menstruation and late menopause increase this risk. But these findings suggest that sex hormone levels may be more relevant to certain types of breast cancer, such as ER-positive and lobular tumors.”a spus Reeves.

Conform To the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundationthe risk of developing breast cancer increases by 15-20% for women who started menstruating before the age of 11 compared to those who had their first period at 15 or later.

What does prolonged exposure to hormones mean?

Research has shown that the longer a woman is exposed to reproductive hormones, the greater her risk of developing breast cancer. In this context, Hazel Nunnhead of the health information department at Cancer Research UKstated: “Although women cannot control the age at which they start menstruating, there are many things they can do to reduce their risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol consumption and adopting an active lifestyle are essential measures to prevent the development of the disease.”.

Preventive measures and the importance of information

Although age of first period is a factor that cannot be changed, women can take proactive steps to protect their health. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and reducing alcohol consumption, can help prevent breast cancer and maintain general well-being.

It is essential that women are aware of the importance of regular check-ups and monitor their health throughout life. Breast self-examination and regular visits to the specialist are crucial steps in early detection of any changes.

Menarche is more than just a developmental stage; it is an indicator of long-term health. Knowing the impact that age of first period can have on health risks can help women take preventive measures and be more attentive to their own body’s signals. Thus, education and awareness become powerful tools in the fight against diseases that can be prevented or detected early.