Women's Age at First Menstruation as a Predictor of Long-Term Health Risks

Recent research presented at ENDO 2025, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, highlights the significance of the age at which women experience their first menstrual period as an important indicator of future health risks. A comprehensive Brazilian study involving 7,623 women aged 35 to 74 has established that the timing of menarche—whether early, typical, or late—correlates with different long-term health outcomes.

Women who began menstruating before age 10 showed an increased likelihood of developing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart-related issues, and reproductive complications like pre-eclampsia in later life. Conversely, women with menarche after age 15 were less prone to obesity but faced higher risks of menstrual irregularities and certain cardiovascular conditions.

These findings underscore the importance of early health education and proactive screening, especially in developing countries, where such data have been historically limited. The study, part of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil), utilized interviews, physical exams, blood tests, and ultrasounds to evaluate the health impacts of menarche timing.

"Our results suggest that knowing a woman's age at menarche can help health professionals identify those at increased risk for various diseases," said researcher Flávia Rezende Tinano. "This emphasizes the need for personalized prevention strategies and highlights the role of early education for girls and women."

The study's implications are particularly relevant for underrepresented populations in Latin America, emphasizing how puberty timing can influence long-term health. Understanding these links can empower women and healthcare providers to implement targeted preventive measures, potentially reducing the burden of chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-age-woman-period-clues-term.html