First Period Age Signals Future Health Risks
Study Links Early and Late Menarche to Diverse Health Concerns
The age a woman experiences her first menstrual period may offer crucial insights into her predisposition for chronic health conditions later in life. New research presented at ENDO 2025 suggests that both unusually early and late onset of menstruation are associated with distinct long-term health challenges.
Early Puberty’s Health Implications
A comprehensive Brazilian study indicates that starting menstruation before the age of 10 correlates with an increased likelihood of developing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart complications, and issues during pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia. These findings highlight a significant connection between early pubertal development and metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Late Puberty: A Different Risk Profile
Conversely, women whose first period occurred after age 15 showed a reduced risk of obesity. However, this group faced a higher incidence of irregular menstrual cycles and certain types of heart disease, suggesting a complex relationship between menstrual timing and overall well-being.
“We now have evidence from a large Brazilian population that confirms how both early and late puberty can have different long-term health impacts. While early menarche increases the risk for multiple metabolic and heart problems, late menarche may protect against obesity but increase certain heart and menstrual issues. Most women can remember when they had their first period, but they might not realize that it could signal future health risks. Understanding these links can help women and their doctors be more proactive about preventing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.”
—Flávia Rezende Tinano, Study Author, University of Sao Paulo
The research, part of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil), analyzed data from over 7,600 women aged 35 to 74. Participants were categorized based on their age at menarche: early (under 10), typical (10-15), or late (over 15). Health assessments included interviews, physical measurements, laboratory tests, and ultrasound imaging.
This study contributes vital data from a developing nation, a perspective often underrepresented in research on this topic. It underscores the importance of considering diverse populations when examining the long-term health effects of pubertal timing.
For instance, in the United States, a significant percentage of women experience early menarche. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10% of girls in the US start puberty before age 8, which can be an indicator of early menarche (Source: CDC, 2023).
Personalized Prevention Strategies
Flávia Rezende Tinano emphasized the clinical value of this information, stating, “Our findings suggest that knowing a woman’s age at her first period can help doctors identify those at higher risk for certain diseases.” This data can inform more tailored screening and preventative health strategies, particularly beneficial for young girls and women in regions where access to early health education may be limited.
