How old is a girl's period?

When girls enter puberty, their bodies undergo significant changes. After their first period, also called menarche, girls begin to grow more rapidly. The age of menarche is generally between 13 and 15 years old. Girls also reach puberty at age 11. The age of menarche varies depending on a person's physical constitution and hormonal conditions, but it can be within the normal range. If it is too early or postponed, timely attention should be paid.

Menarche

A woman's first menstruation is called menarche, which is one of the important signs of the onset of puberty.

The age of menarche for girls is about 10-16 years old. The age of menarche varies, and can be as early as 11-12 years old or as late as 16-18 years old. It is abnormal if you do not have your period after the age of 18.

The early or late onset of menarche is related to factors such as genetics, environment, nutrition and economic conditions. Menarche occurs earlier in hot climates and later in cold climates; it occurs earlier in girls in developed cities and later in remote mountainous areas; it occurs earlier in girls who are healthy and have good nutritional conditions and later in girls who are weak and have poor living conditions.

Menarche indicates that the ovaries have begun to function. The thousands of follicles in the ovarian cortex have gradually begun to mature, and the body's endocrine system has also begun to function. Under the control of the hypothalamus-pituitary gland, the ovaries can secrete estrogen to affect the endometrium.

At the time of menarche, since the ovarian function is not yet perfect, the menstrual cycle is often irregular. The period from irregular to regular varies from person to person, and takes about 1-2 years. If the menstrual cycle exceeds half a year or the menstrual duration exceeds 10 days, it is abnormal and you should see a doctor.

Girls who reach menarche grow rapidly, have increased appetite, develop and swell breasts, have occasional pain, begin to have more pubic and armpit hair, and have a rosy face. These phenomena should be signs that menarche is approaching.

Girls often feel a little scared when they have their first menstruation, but in fact, as long as they know that it is a normal physiological phenomenon, they will not be afraid.

After menarche, menstruation is often irregular, occurring only once every several months or a year, or bleeding continuously, resulting in "functional bleeding" of the uterus. This is because the ovarian function is not yet fully developed. When the condition is serious, estrogen supplementation is needed to help establish a normal cycle. Generally, menstruation will return to normal after the ovarian function gradually matures.