Showing papers on "Menarche published in 2002"
TL;DR: Overall, a woman's recall of menarcheal age and body size was better than recall of cycle length and occurrence of regularity, and the failure to identify certain menstrual characteristics as exposures for subsequent disease may reflect limitations in the accuracy and precision of the recalled measures.
Abstract: The validity of recall of early menstrual characteristics is of interest because of their putative role in the etiology of breast cancer and other diseases A retrospective follow-up of the Newton Girls Study (1965-1975) provided an opportunity to assess the accuracy and precision of recall of several early menstrual characteristics In 1998-1999, 57 percent of the original 793 Newton Girls Study participants completed a mailed questionnaire to assess the accuracy of recall for age and body size at menarche, usual cycle length during the first 2 years, and age at regularity Recalled and original age at menarche were highly correlated (r = 079, p < 0001) The body mass index percentile at menarche was well correlated with recalled body size at menarche (r = 061, p < 0001), but with some evidence of systematic bias Overall, a woman's recall of menarcheal age and body size was better than recall of cycle length and occurrence of regularity The failure to identify certain menstrual characteristics as exposures for subsequent disease may reflect limitations in the accuracy and precision of the recalled measures
452 citations
TL;DR: Black girls on average enter puberty first, followed by Mexican American and then white girls, and black and Mexican American girls had pubic hair and breast development and had achieved menarche at younger ages than white girls.
Abstract: Objective To assess measures of puberty—presence of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche—for 3 racial/ethnic groups of girls in the United States Methods Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study sample was restricted to 1623 girls aged 8 to 16 years (466 non-Hispanic white, 589 non-Hispanic black, and 568 Mexican American) for whom information was available on Tanner stages of pubic hair and breast development Subsequently, the sample was restricted to 1168 girls aged 10 to 16 years (330 non-Hispanic white, 419 non-Hispanic black, and 419 Mexican American) for whom menarche data were available Tanner stage II or higher was used to define pubic hair and breast development; menarche status was self-reported The percentage of girls who had pubic hair and breast development and had achieved menarche was computed by age and race/ethnicity Probit and failure time models were applied to estimate mean ages at onset of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche The racial/ethnic differences also were examined after adjustment for social and economic variables and current body mass index Results Black and Mexican American girls had pubic hair and breast development and had achieved menarche at younger ages than white girls For example, 494% of black girls aged 9 years had breast development compared with 245% of Mexican American girls and 158% of white girls The mean age at onset of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche was 95, 95, and 121 year for black girls; 103, 98, and 122 years for Mexican American girls; and 105, 103, and 127 years for white girls These ethnic differences remained even after adjustment for current body mass index and several social and economic variables Conclusion Black girls on average enter puberty first, followed by Mexican American and then white girls
369 citations
TL;DR: As compared with 5- to 9-year-old white girls, black girls were taller and weighed more, characteristics that were predictive of a relatively early (before age 11.0 years) menarche, however, even after adjustment for weight, height, and other characteristics, the rate of early menarches remained 1.4-fold higher among black girls than among white girls.
Abstract: Objective To assess secular trends in menarcheal age between 1973 and 1994 and to determine whether childhood levels of height, weight, and skinfold thicknesses can account for racial (white/black) differ- ences in menarcheal age Methods Data from 7 cross-sectional examinations of school-aged children, with menarcheal age obtained through interviews, were used for both cross-sectional (11 218 observations) and longitudinal (n 2058) analy- ses In the latter analyses, the baseline examination was performed between ages 50 and 99 years, and the mean follow-up was 6 years Results Black girls experienced menarche, on aver- age, 3 months earlier than did white girls (123 vs 126 years), and during the 20-year study period, the median menarcheal age decreased by approximately 95 months among black girls versus approximately 2 months among white girls As compared with 5- to 9-year-old white girls, black girls were taller and weighed more, characteristics that were predictive of a relatively early (before age 110 years) menarche However, even after adjustment for weight, height, and other characteristics, the rate of early menarche remained 14-fold higher among black girls than among white girls Conclusions Additional study of the determinants of menarcheal age is needed, as the timing of pubertal mat- uration may influence the risk of various diseases in adulthood Pediatrics 2002;110(4) URL: http://www pediatricsorg/cgi/content/full/110/4/e43; menarche, obesity, blacks, height, secular trend
315 citations
TL;DR: The study highlighted the high prevalence of overweight in adolescent children in urban India and life style factors influenced BMI in adolescent age.
311 citations
TL;DR: The paper closes by providing a summary of the findings which will be of relevance to those intending to critically review the current evidence surrounding age of puberty, as well as those set on carrying out future research into this area.
268 citations
TL;DR: Menstrual patterns are influenced by a number of host and environmental characteristics, and factors that perturb menstruation may increase a woman’s risk of other reproductive disorders.
Abstract: Background. Few studies have described medical and lifestyle factors associated with various menstrual cycle characteristics. Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 3941 premenopausal women from Iowa or North Carolina participating in the Agricultural Health Study between 1994 and 1996. Eligible women were age 21– 40, not taking oral contraceptives, and not currently pregnant or breast feeding. We examined four menstrual cycle patterns: short cycles (24 days or less), long cycles (36 days or more), irregular cycles, and intermenstrual bleeding. Results. Long and irregular cycles were less common with advancing age and more common with menarche after age 14, with depression, and with increasing body mass index. The adjusted odds of long cycles increased with increasing body mass index, reaching 5.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–13.7) among women with body mass indexes of 35 or higher compared with the reference category (body mass index of 22–23). Smoking was associated with short cycles. Long cycles, irregular cycles, and intermenstrual bleeding were associated with a history of infertility. Having long cycles was associated with a doubling in the adjusted odds of having a fetal loss among women who had been pregnant within the last 5 years (odds ratio 2.3; 95% CI 0.9 –5.7). Conclusions. Menstrual patterns are influenced by a number of host and environmental characteristics. Factors that perturb menstruation may increase a woman’s risk of other reproductive disorders. (EPIDEMIOLOGY 2002;13:668 –674)
216 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that reproductive events have complex effects on the risk of breast cancer, and age at menarche, age at first full-term pregnancy, and number of spontaneous abortions differed according to menopausal status.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the role of hormonal factors in breast cancer risk and to determine whether the effect of reproductive events differs according to age at diagnosis. It analysed the effect of age at menarche, age at first full-term pregnancy, number of full-term pregnancies and number of spontaneous abortions both on the overall risk of breast cancer and on its pre- or postmenopausal onset, using the data on 1718 breast cancer cases, obtained from a large sample of around 100000 French women participating in the E3N cohort study. The results provide further evidence that the overall risk of breast cancer increases with decreasing age at menarche, increasing age at first pregnancy and low parity. No overall effect of spontaneous abortions was observed. The effect of these reproductive factors differed according to menopausal status. Age at menarche had an effect on premenopausal breast cancer risk, with a decrease in risk with increasing age of 7% per year (P<0.05). Compared to those who had their first menstrual periods at 11 or before, women experiencing menarche at 15 or after had an RR of 0.66 (95% CI 0.45-0.97) in the premenopausal group. Age at first full-term pregnancy had an effect on both pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, with significant tests showing increasing risk per year of increasing age (P=0.001 and P<0.05 respectively). A first full-term pregnancy above age 30 conveyed a risk of 1.63 (95% CI 1.12-2.38) and 1.35 (95% CI 1.02-1.78) in the pre- and postmenopausal groups respectively. A protective effect of high parity was observed only for postmenopausal breast cancer risk (P for trend test =0.001), with point estimates of 0.79 (95% CI 0.60-1.04), 0.69 (95% CI 0.54-0.88), 0.66 (95% CI 0.51-0.85) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.48-0.86) associated to a one, two, three and four or more full-term pregnancies. A history of spontaneous abortion had no significant effect on the risk of breast cancer diagnosed before or after menopause. Our results suggest that reproductive events have complex effects on the risk of breast cancer.
210 citations
TL;DR: The findings are consistent with the possibility that timing of menarche may be set in utero or early in life, although it may be modified by changes in body size and composition in childhood.
Abstract: Background In recent studies a larger birth size has been shown to delay the timing of menarche. The mechanisms underlying this association are not clear, however, as birthweight is a predictor of body size in childhood, and a large body size is known to be associated with an early onset of menarche. Methods Data from a representative British cohort of 2547 girls born in 1946 who were followed prospectively throughout childhood were used. Information was available on prenatal characteristics, birthweight, height, weight and social circumstances during childhood, and on age at menarche. Random coefficients models were used to estimate the individual trajectories in height and body mass index (BMI) up to age 7 years. The parameters identified by these models were then included in Weibull survival models for the timing of menarche together with birthweight. Results Birthweight was found to positively influence height and BMI values at age 2 years, but not to affect their rates of change from age 2 to 7 years. Initial analyses showed low birthweight to be associated with an early onset of menarche, but after controlling for growth in infancy this effect was reversed, with girls who were heavy at birth reaching menarche earlier than others with similar infant growth. Rapid growth in infancy was also related to early pubertal maturation. The effects of birthweight and infant growth disappeared, however, when further controlled for growth from age 2 to 7 years. Conclusions The effects of birthweight and growth in infancy on the timing of menarche seem to be mediated through growth in early childhood. These findings are consistent with the possibility that timing of menarche may be set in utero or early in life, although it may be modified by changes in body size and composition in childhood.
197 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that low bone mass occurs in young women with amenorrhea and delayed menarche, both exercisers and nonexercisers, and crucial bone mass accretion may be compromised by their reproductive and nutritional health.
Abstract: Few longitudinal studies have investigated the effects of amenorrhea and amenorrhea plus exercise on bone mineral density (BMD) of young women. We carried out a 2-yr comparison of dancers and nondancers, both amenorrheic and normal, that investigated the role of hypothalamic amenorrhea on bone in this context. We studied 111 subjects (mean age, 22.4 +/- 4.6 yr; age of menarche, 14.1 +/- 2.2 yr), including 54 dancers, 22 with hypothalamic amenorrhea, and 57 nondancers, 22 with hypothalamic amenorrhea. Detailed hormonal and nutritional data were obtained in all groups to determine possible causal relationship to osteoporosis. The amenorrheic groups, dancers and nondancers, both showed reduced BMD in the spine, wrist, and foot, which remained below controls throughout the 2 yr. Only amenorrheic dancers showed significant changes in spine BMD (12.1%; P < 0.05) but still remained below controls, and within this subgroup, only those with delayed menarche showed a significant increase. The seven amenorrheic subjects (three dancers and four nondancers) who resumed menses during the study showed an increase in spine and wrist BMD (17%; P < 0.001) without achieving normalization. Delayed menarche was the only variable that predicted stress fractures (P < 0.005), which we used as a measure of bone functional strength. Analysis of dieting and nutritional patterns showed higher incidence of dieting behavior in this group, as manifested by higher Eating Attitudes Test scores (16.3 +/- 2.00 vs. 11.5 +/- 1.45; P < 0.05) and higher fiber intakes (30.7 +/- 3.00 vs. 17.5 +/- 2.01 g/24 h; P < 0.001). We concluded that low bone mass occurs in young women with amenorrhea and delayed menarche, both exercisers and nonexercisers. Crucial bone mass accretion may be compromised by their reproductive and nutritional health.
180 citations
TL;DR: A genetic explanation of the father absence effect is proposed in which fathers carrying the AR alleles are more likely to abandon a marriage and pass those alleles to their daughters in whom they produce an earlier age of menarche and behavioral problems.
Abstract: Based on an evolutionary theory of socialization, Belsky and colleagues proposed that girls exposed to a stressful environment, especially when due to father absence in the first 7 years of life, showed an early onset of puberty, precocious sexuality, and unstable relationships as adults. The authors of this article examined an alternative explanation that a variant X-linked androgen receptor (AR) gene, predisposing the father to behaviors that include family abandonment, may be passed to their daughters causing early puberty, precocious sexuality, and behavior problems. The results of a study of 121 White males and 164 White females showed a significant association of the short alleles of the GGC repeat polymorphism of the AR gene with a range of measures of aggression and impulsivity, increased number of sexual partners, sexual compulsivity, and lifetime number of sex partners in males; and paternal divorce, father absence, and early age of menarche in females. These findings support a genetic explanation of the Belsky psychosocial evolutionary hypothesis regarding the association of fathers' absence and parental stress with early age of onset of menarche and early sexual activity in their daughters. A genetic explanation of the father absence effect is proposed in which fathers carrying the AR alleles are more likely to abandon a marriage (father absence) and pass those alleles to their daughters in whom they produce an earlier age of menarche and behavioral problems.
134 citations
TL;DR: These results suggest high rates of menstrual disturbances and polycystic ovary syndrome in women with bipolar disorder currently receiving valproate.
Abstract: Background Valproate treatment has been associated with high rates of menstrual abnormalities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries in women with epilepsy. This pilot study investigated whether valproate treatment had the same associations in women with bipolar disorder. Method One hundred forty outpatient women with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder (aged 15-45 years) were surveyed on their medical, psychiatric, and reproductive health history. Thirty-two women met entry criteria for the study and were divided into 2 groups: (1) those currently receiving valproate (valproate, N = 17) and (2) those who were not currently taking valproate (nonvalproate, N = 15). These 2 groups were compared with a normal (never diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder) control group of 22 women. Women in the valproate group with current menstrual problems (N = 7) underwent further assessment for the presence of polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism. Results The age at onset of menses, mean length of menstrual cycle, and mean length of menses were not significantly different between the groups. Significantly more women reported menstrual abnormalities in the valproate group (47%) than women not receiving valproate (13%) and controls (0%). Forty-one percent of women with bipolar disorder taking valproate had polycystic ovary syndrome. Conclusion These results suggest high rates of menstrual disturbances and polycystic ovary syndrome in women with bipolar disorder currently receiving valproate.
TL;DR: There was strong linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms and it is document that the XbaI polymorphism, and possibly PvuII, may be genetic determinants of the age of menarche.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The age of menarche may be subject to hereditary influences, but the specific genetic determinants are largely unknown. We evaluated whether the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor α gene are associated with the age of menarche. METHODS: We performed genotyping for XbaI and PvuII in a cohort of 145 adolescent females from a closed community in North-Western Greece. RESULTS: There was strong linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms. Menarche occurred later in girls with the XX genotype than in girls with the Xx or xx genotype (mean SD: 13.36 1.24 versus 12.80 1.14 and 12.75 1.35 years respectively; P 0.017). Menarche also tended to occur later in PP homozygotes than in Pp and pp subjects, but the difference was not significant (mean SD: 13.09 1.29 versus 12.80 1.19 and 12.85 1.33 years respectively). The strongest effect was seen when the PX haplotype was considered [mean SD: 13.43 1.18 years for homozygotes versus 12.76 1.25 years in heterozygotes and in subjects without the PX allele, P 0.006]. CONCLUSIONS: We document that the XbaI polymorphism, and possibly PvuII, may be genetic determinants of the age of menarche.
TL;DR: In this paper, the association between female genital cutting and frequency of sexual and gynaecological symptoms among a cohort of cut versus uncut women in Edo State of Nigeria was examined.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the nature of the communication between mothers and daughters at the time of menarche in an attempt to determine the kinds of messages about menstruation that mothers tend to pass on to their daughters.
Abstract: The nature of the communication between mothers and daughters at the time of menarche was examined in an attempt to determine the kinds of messages about menstruation that mothers tend to pass on to their daughters. The sample consisted of 138 women who ranged in age from 26 to 60 years (mean age = 43.2) at the time of the interviews. They were interviewed by 138 students enrolled in Psychology of Women classes taught by the first author. Participants were asked questions regarding their education about menstruation and their experience with menstruation. The content of the responses were analyzed for information about the quality and quantity of mother–daughter communication. The majority of daughters reported that communication with their mothers about menstruation was negative in tone. Eight types of negative messages were identified, including one labeled the “grin-and-bear-it” message. Two cases are presented to illustrate how the “grin-and-bear-it” message is related to the traditional feminine gender role and how it might negatively affect a woman's relationship with her mother and with other women.
TL;DR: Only for white children with CP were there a sufficient number of subjects for comparisons of sexual maturation to race-matched children in the general population, using data from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Research in Office Settings network and the NHANES III study.
Abstract: Objectives. To compare the development of secondary sexual characteristics in children with cerebral palsy (CP) of moderate to severe motor impairment to children in the general population and to relate their sexual maturation to a measure of their body fat. Methods. A multicenter, cross-sectional survey of 207 children who were 3 to 18 years of age and had CP of moderate to severe motor impairment (Gross Motor Functional Classification System [GMFCS] levels 3, 4, and 5) was conducted at 6 geographic sites; attempts were made to identify all eligible children through multiple methods and enroll them in the study. Trained research assistants performed anthropometric measurements, including subscapular skinfold thickness, determined GMFCS level, and assessed sexual maturation by Tanner stage. Secondary sexual characteristics were compared with the general population of children using cross-sectional surveys of the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Research in Office Settings network and of the National Center for Health Statistics National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. Girls were classified as having begun puberty when they were at Tanner stage 2 or greater for pubic hair and breast development and to have completed puberty when they were at Tanner stage 4 or greater for pubic hair and breast development. Boys were classified as having begun puberty when they were at Tanner stage 2 or greater for pubic hair and genital development and to have completed puberty when they were at Tanner stage 4 or greater for pubic hair and genital development. Results. The mean age (standard deviation) of subjects was 9.6 (4.6) years. Of the 207 subjects, 71% were white, 21% were black, and 8% were of other races; 59% were boys, and 41% were girls. Girls with CP (n = 84) entered puberty earlier than did boys with CP (n = 123). In contrast, girls with CP tended to complete puberty later than did boys with CP. Black boys and girls with CP (n = 43) entered puberty earlier than did white boys and girls with CP (n = 147). No difference between races was found in completion of puberty. Only for white children with CP were there a sufficient number of subjects for comparisons of sexual maturation to race-matched children in the general population, using data from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Research in Office Settings network and the NHANES III study. White girls with CP initiated pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2 or greater) earlier than in the general population, but the age of onset of breast development was similar to the general population, although the age distribution was different. A greater proportion of white girls with CP had early onset of breast development (Tanner stage 2 or greater), and a greater proportion had delayed onset of breast development than in the general population. White girls with CP completed breast development later than in the general population but not pubic hair development. For white boys ages 8 to 18 years with CP (n = 75), pubic hair and genital development both began earlier than in the general population, but genital development was completed later. The estimated median age of menarche for white girls with CP was 14.0 years, which was 1.3 years later (95% confidence interval: 0.7–2.3) than for the general population (estimated median age: 12.8 years; NHANES III). Relationships between sexual maturation and nutritional state, as assessed by subscapular skinfold thickness z score, were determined separately in white boys and in white girls with CP, between the ages of 8 and 18 years. For white girls with CP, more advanced sexual maturation was associated with more body fat, adjusting for age and GMFCS level (Spearman partial correlation: 0.41). In contrast, for white boys with CP, the opposite relationship pertained: more advanced sexual maturation was associated with less body fat (−0.29). Conclusions. The pattern of sexual maturation in children with CP of moderate to severe motor impairment differs from that of children in the general population. Puberty begins earlier but ends later in white children with CP, compared with white children in the general population. In addition, menarche occurs later in white girls with CP. More advanced sexual maturation was associated with more body fat in girls but less body fat in boys.
TL;DR: GnRHA therapy may be suggested for use in girls who have psychosocial difficulties in coping with EFP, and the similar Ht gain and bone maturation rate at each pubertal stage in the treated and untreated girls may suggest that the total Pubertal growth is not dependent on puberal duration and pace and is probably determined already at the onset of the normal pubertAL development.
Abstract: Early and fast puberty (EFP) in girls, defined as pubertal onset at age 8–9 yr, with an accelerated course, may cause compromised final height (FHt) and psychosocial distress. Treatment with a gonadotropin-suppressive agent is controversial, because the improvement in FHt is equivocal and there may be risk of obesity. We analyzed the data of 126 girls with EFP: 63 treated with GnRH analog (GnRHA) since Tanner stage 3, for 2–4 yr; and 63 untreated. Age at onset of puberty; accelerated time of transition from Tanner stage 2 to 3 (<1.3 yr); and clinical, hormonal and sonographic findings were similar in the 2 groups. The girls given GnRHA treatment had a significantly prolonged pubertal course, compared with the accelerated course in the untreated girls (4.7 ± 0.4 vs. 2.45 ± 0.4 yr, P < 0.001). After therapy, they reached Tanner stages 4 and 5 and FHt at a significantly older age than the untreated group (P < 0.001), and their menarche was delayed (12.8 ± 0.6 vs. 10.8 ± 0.5 yr, P < 0.001). However, the diffe...
TL;DR: In both menarche groups, TCDD levels were associated with decreased odds of having irregular cycles but were not related to days of flow, consistent with effects of T CDD on ovarian function noted in some animal species and with greater sensitivity to TCDDs during development.
Abstract: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a widespread industrial environmental contaminant. Animal studies suggest that TCDD exposure alters the estrus cycle. Twenty years after a 1976 industrial explosion in Seveso, Italy, the authors interviewed female residents to determine whether there was an association between TCDD exposure and current menstrual cycle characteristics. The authors analyzed serum samples collected soon after the explosion to quantify individual TCDD levels. Among women who were premenarcheal at the time of the explosion, a 10-fold increase in serum TCDD level was associated with a lengthening of the menstrual cycle by 0.93 days (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.01, 1.86) and a reduction in the odds of scanty menstrual flow (adjusted odds ratio = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.10, 1.06). However, among women who were postmenarcheal at the time of the explosion, TCDD was not associated with menstrual cycle length (adjusted beta = -0.03 days, 95% CI: -0.61, 0.54) or scantiness of flow (adjusted odds ratio = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.70, 2.64). In both menarche groups, TCDD levels were associated with decreased odds of having irregular cycles (adjusted odds ratio = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.95) but were not related to days of flow (adjusted beta = 0.16 days, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.41). These results are consistent with effects of TCDD on ovarian function noted in some animal species and with greater sensitivity to TCDD during development.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, data on menstrual history, pregnancy history, and exogenous hormone use were analyzed from a population-based, case-control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Abstract: Thyroid cancer rates are three times higher in women than men during the period between puberty and menopause, suggesting that the etiology of thyroid cancer may be related to female sex hormones and reproductive function. However, the results from epidemiological studies have been mixed. To assess this hypothesis, data on menstrual history, pregnancy history, and exogenous hormone use were analyzed from a population-based, case-control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Of 817 incident thyroid cancer patients (cases), ages 20–74 years, who were diagnosed in 1992–1998 and 793 controls, identified by random-digit dialing and frequency matched to cases on age and race/ethnicity, 608 (74%) cases and 558 (70%) controls were interviewed. Of these cases, 544 were of papillary histology and included in the present analysis. Women who reported onset of menarche before age 12 or after age 14 were at about 50% increased risk for papillary thyroid cancer; however, this effect differed among age- and ethnic-specific subgroups. Among parous women younger than age 45, risk was elevated for several variables measuring recency of pregnancy. Risk was reduced for women who had ever used oral contraceptives [odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52–0.97], but there was no trend with duration of use. Although it remains unclear how sex hormones influence thyroid carcinogenesis, these relationships warrant further investigation.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Women who reported onset of menarche before age 12 or after age 14 were at about 50% increased risk for papillary thyroid cancer; however, this effect differed among age- and ethnic-specific subgroups; and risk was elevated for several variables measuring recency of pregnancy.
Abstract: Thyroid cancer rates are three times higher in women than men during the period between puberty and menopause, suggesting that the etiology of thyroid cancer may be related to female sex hormones and reproductive function. However, the results from epidemiological studies have been mixed. To assess this hypothesis, data on menstrual history, pregnancy history, and exogenous hormone use were analyzed from a population-based, case-control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Of 817 incident thyroid cancer patients (cases), ages 20-74 years, who were diagnosed in 1992-1998 and 793 controls, identified by random-digit dialing and frequency matched to cases on age and race/ethnicity, 608 (74%) cases and 558 (70%) controls were interviewed. Of these cases, 544 were of papillary histology and included in the present analysis. Women who reported onset of menarche before age 12 or after age 14 were at about 50% increased risk for papillary thyroid cancer; however, this effect differed among age- and ethnic-specific subgroups. Among parous women younger than age 45, risk was elevated for several variables measuring recency of pregnancy. Risk was reduced for women who had ever used oral contraceptives [odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52-0.97], but there was no trend with duration of use. Although it remains unclear how sex hormones influence thyroid carcinogenesis, these relationships warrant further investigation.
TL;DR: In this article, the role of pubertal development on depression, externalizing behavior problems, self-esteem, and body-image of 951 Mexican early adolescents was examined.
Abstract: This study examined the role of pubertal development on depression, externalizing behavior problems, self-esteem, and body-image of 951 Mexican early adolescents The 5th through 7th grade students were assessed at the beginning and end of the school year The main finding of this study is that the acute experience of menarche adversely affected Mexican adolescent girls psychological well-being, most specifically in terms of depressive symptomatology On the other hand, pubertal change in Mexican boys, as measured by voice-change, did not appear to adversely affect psychological well-being above and beyond a nonsignificant minimal and temporal readjustment and in fact had a positive effect on body-image Results suggest that perceived maternal control, prior social–emotional adjustment, and menstrual attitudes may moderate the effects of pubertal change
TL;DR: The aim of the present study was to compare menarche in 14‐year‐old Polish girls of low and normal birthweight, along with an evaluation of the impact of socio‐economic status and body mass index (BMI).
Abstract: Objective: The relationship between intrauterine growth retardation and sexual maturation has not been completely established. The aim of the present study was to compare menarche in 14-year-old Polish girls of low and normal birthweight, along with an evaluation of the impact of socio-economic status and body mass index (BMI).
Methods: We studied 1060 girls (177 pre- and 883 post-menarche) aged 13.5−14.5 years. These girls attended the 7th grade of randomly selected primary schools in Wroclaw, Poland. The BMI was used as a measurement of general adiposity. The cut-off value of the 10th percentile of birthweight for gestational age was used to differentiate between girls born small for gestational age (SGA) and girls with a birthweight appropriate to gestational age (AGA). Parental education level and other measures were used to assess socio-economic status (SES).
Results: Birthweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI 1.22−5.28) and BMI at the age of 14 years (OR = 7.93; 95%CI 4.67−13.48) were factors affecting the onset of menarche among the 14-year-old girls.
Conclusion: Polish girls born small for gestational age are more likely to have experienced menarche by the age of 14 years, compared with their peers of normal weight at birth. These findings seem to be consistent with the hypothesis that the age of menarche is, to some extent, set by patterns of gonadotropin release, established prior to birth. Additionally, the age of menarche varies depending on levels of fat accumulation during childhood and adolescence.
TL;DR: It is concluded that BMI and SES had the most significant effects on variation of menarcheal age in a unified statistical model, however, their interaction was found to be not statistically significant.
Abstract: Background : Age at menarche and its potential associated factors are reported for 1862 Shiraz (Southern Iran) secondary school girls taking part in a cross-sectional survey selected from the four educational districts of the city. Methods : Probit analysis was used to estimate age at menarche, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to analyse socio-economic status (SES). Body mass index (BMI) was used as an indicator of nutrition. Results : Mean - SD age at menarche was 12.91 - 1.23 years (95% CI: 12.84-12.97). Of all subjects, 33.7% first menstruated in summer. The highest mean age at menarche was 13.01 years in winter. Stress, anxiety and discomfort was seen among 70.3% of subjects at menarche indicating total or partial ignorance of the menstruation phenomenon. Age at menarche decreased as SES improved. Menarcheal age was delayed for underweight subjects. Conclusions : It is concluded that BMI and SES had the most significant effects on variation of menarcheal age in a unified statistica...
TL;DR: The ACOG has recommended that the initial visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist for health guidance, screening, and provision of preventive services should take place around age 13-15 as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: The association of age of menarche, nonvirginity status, and age of first sexual intercourse was investigated in teenage, female twins (mean age, 17 years) in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: A higher intake of energy-adjusted dietary fibre was associated with a lower risk of menarche, consistent with the hypothesis that pre-menarcheal dietary intake can influenceMenarche.
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the influence of dietary fibre on menarche in a cohort of premenarcheal girls. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Subjects: Free-living pre-menarcheal girlsOna 637U, 6 to 14 years of age. Methodology: Information on dietary intake, physical activity and date of menarche was collected at baseline and was updated annually by self-administered questionnaires for three years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between dietary fibre and menarche, adjusting for age at entry to the study and potential confounders. Results: A higher intake of energy-adjusted dietary fibre was associated with a lower risk of (i.e. a later age at) menarche (relative hazard 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31‐0.94 for highest vs. lowest quartile, P for trenda 0:027). At the fibre component level, a higher intake of energy-adjusted cellulose was associated with a lower risk of menarche (relative hazard 0.45, 95% CI 0.26‐0.76, P for trenda 0:009). Conclusions: The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that pre-menarcheal dietary intake can influence menarche.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the patients of this study reach adulthood with a high chance of fertility, and Gonadal function was not correlated with parameters of SLE.
Abstract: The authors analysed the gonadal function and age of menarche of 23 female adolescentsand young women with SLE, and correlated these with clinical, SLEDAI and therapeutic parameters. The presence o...
TL;DR: Children born small for gestational age (SGA): birth weight or birth length more than 2 standard deviations below the mean score are at a higher risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality and of a number of chronic diseases in later life such as hypertension, decreased insulin sensitivity, diabetes mellitus type 2 and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
TL;DR: The interval between menarche and age of first sexual intercourse was associated with HPV infection, but the association became nonsignificant in univariate stratified analyses and multivariate models estimating the association between the interval and HPV infection.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined gender differences in crying during adolescence and the role of menarche and empathy in the development of children's emotional responses to emotional distress. But no gender differences were found in babies and young children.
Abstract: It is a well-established fact that adult women cry more frequently than adult men. However, in babies and young children no gender differences in crying frequency are found. Frey (1985) has postulated that boys and girls start to diverge in crying with the onset of menses in girls. The aim of the present study was to examine gender differences in crying during adolescence and the role of menarche and empathy. Participants were 216 boys and 265 girls, age 11 to 16, who completed questionnaires on crying frequency, crying proneness, empathy, and (for girls only) menarche. It appeared that girls cried more frequently and were more prone to cry than boys in all age groups. Gender differences increased with age mainly because of a decrease in crying among boys. Onset of menstruation did not have an effect on the crying measures. Empathy, on the other hand, was strongly associated with crying. Older girls were more empathic than younger girls, whereas for boys the relationship between empathy and age was weaker. It can be concluded that gender differences in crying develop before age 11 and that menarche does not play a significant role in crying in girls.
TL;DR: It appears that height, weight, menstrual and reproductive factors have less impact on Gastric cancer than environmental factors such as smoking and dietary habits or family history of gastric cancer.
Abstract: To clarify whether reproductive factors have an impact on gastric cancer in Japanese females, a case-control study was conducted using data from the Hospital-based Epidemiologic Research Program at Aichi Cancer Center (HERPACC), Japan. The study subjects included 365 postmenopausal women with gastric cancer and 1,825 age-class frequency-matched noncancer outpatients presenting at Aichi Cancer Center in 1988-1998. Cases were further divided with regard to the anatomic subsite (upper third, middle third, lower third) and histologic subtypes (differentiated, nondifferentiated) and the association was evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) estimated by the logistic regression model, adjusting for potential confounding factors. A high body weight and corresponding body mass index at age 20 moderately increased the risk of gastric cancer, especially for middle third and nondifferentiated cancers. Risk fluctuation with early or late age at menarche and menopause and total duration of fertility was not consistent. Individuals with a high age at first parity tended to show decreased risk of cancer, irrespective of their subsite or histologic subtype. The ORs were decreased with a short average period of breastfeeding, especially for upper third and nondifferentiated cancers. From these results, however, it appears that height, weight, menstrual and reproductive factors have less impact on gastric cancer than environmental factors such as smoking and dietary habits or family history of gastric cancer.