Early Periods: What Parents Need to Know
- A growing number of parents are actively trying to delay their daughters' first period, or menarche, amid concerns about the trend toward earlier onset.This involves dietary changes and...
- Nicky Skinner,a nurse and health coach,posted on Instagram about her goal to delay her daughters' first periods by eliminating perhaps harmful chemicals from their lives.
- A 2024 study indicated that the average age of menarche in the U.S.
Parents are increasingly focused on delaying their daughters’ frist period,a trend fueled by concerns about earlier menarche and potential health implications. This shift, highlighted in recent news, prompts families to explore dietary changes and product choices, seeking to minimize exposure to potential endocrine disruptors. Experts indicate the average age of menarche is decreasing, potentially linked to nutrition, weight, stress, and environmental factors.Early periods carry increased risks tied to cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. While proactive approaches are gaining traction, health professionals recommend consulting on personal wellness.Explore this evolving narrative at News Directory 3 and learn what families are facing. Discover what’s next in this crucial area of health.
Parents Seek to Delay Girls’ First Period amid earlier Onset Trend
Updated June 12, 2025
A growing number of parents are actively trying to delay their daughters’ first period, or menarche, amid concerns about the trend toward earlier onset.This involves dietary changes and avoiding certain personal care products.
Nicky Skinner,a nurse and health coach,posted on Instagram about her goal to delay her daughters’ first periods by eliminating perhaps harmful chemicals from their lives. Her post garnered significant attention, reflecting a broader movement among parents.
A 2024 study indicated that the average age of menarche in the U.S. has decreased from 12.5 years between 1950 and 1969 to 11.9 years between 2000 and 2005.The percentage of girls experiencing their first period before age 9 has also more than doubled as the 1950s.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed on Fox news that girls are entering puberty as much as six years earlier, linking the issue to children’s diets.
Experts attribute the shift to factors such as improved nutrition, higher body weight, stress, and exposure to endocrine disruptors. These chemicals, found in common products like shampoos and lotions, can mimic hormones in the body, according to Shruti Mahalingaiah, a professor at Harvard University.
while some experts support limiting exposure to endocrine disruptors, others caution against expecting individual families to counteract a widespread health trend. Christy Harrison, a registered dietitian, believes it could lead to hypervigilance and potential eating disorders.
Why earlier periods could be a problem
The trend toward earlier menstruation is concerning because it is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and certain reproductive cancers. Roopa Kanakatti Shankar,a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington,D.C., noted that research suggests a possible link to anxiety and depression.
Experiencing menarche earlier than peers can also be stressful for young girls. Shankar said that while they are physically developing, their cognitive growth is still in progress. Managing menstruation can be challenging for younger children, according to Mahalingaiah.
What’s next
Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of earlier menstruation and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at delaying puberty. Parents are advised to consult with healthcare professionals before making significant changes to their children’s diets or lifestyles.