What is Menarche and the Related Problems?
Menarche is defined as the first menstrual period in a female adolescent. It refers to the age of onset of period/menstruation to a young girl. It is a subset of puberty and last to come – however mostly used synonymously. Normal age of menarche is 11-14 years, however it can be delayed or precocious.
Precocious Menarche
- Below the age of 8 or 9 years
- Causes
– Mostly hormonal – not worrisome at all
– Help you child and explains everything in details
– Encourage her to play group games and loose weight
– Give her good diet – rich in Calcium, Protein and Vitaming D3 Rare Causes – some tumor in brain, ovary or adrenal gland – doctor will come to know after examination and may suggest following tests
– Blood test
– GNRH Test, Thyroid, Estrogen and progesterone level
– Xray of hand and wrist to know the bone-age of the child
– USG abdomen & pelvis
– MRI- All test are safe for the child
- Treatments – mostly general
- Try to maintain her self-confidence
- May look taller than other children of their age group but at the age of 15 years their height is less than those of comparable age
- Most important goal is to enable child to grow to a normal height
- May give injection Lupron Depot till normal age of puberty ( 11-12 years) and then stop
Delayed Menarche
- No period by the age of 15 – 16 years – no breast development by the age of 13 years
- Causes
– Mostly hereditary/familial
– Eating disorders – B12/D3 deficiency
– Bowell disorder – chronic diarrhoea
– Hypo-thyroidism
– Immature hypothalamnus pituiatary ovarian axis
– Chromosomal disorders Do not hesitate to take your child to a doctor, he may advice following tests