menarche

Generality

The menarche is the appearance of the first menstruation . This event marks the beginning of puberty and entry into the fertile age.

In most women, the first menstruation occurs between 10 and 16 years. Before this moment, many changes occur in the female body, such as, for example, the growth of the mammary glands, the increase in height and the appearance of hair in the axillary and pubic area.

The menarche presents itself with small red-brown vaginal discharge, which can be anticipated or accompanied by a sense of tension in the breast, pain in the lower abdomen, back pain and violent mood swings.

After the arrival of the first menstruation, it is quite frequent that the cycle is subject to irregularities as regards rhythm, duration and quantity: this period of adjustment can last up to two years, until the body finds the right balance.

Curiosity. The term "menarche" derives from the Greek words " ménos " (month) and " arché " (beginning), just to underline the cyclic character that the menstrual phenomenon will assume.

What's this?

For a child, the menarche constitutes a fundamental moment from the physical and psychic point of view, since it marks the passage to adulthood . In fact, this event "inaugurates" the period of female fertility, understood, at least, as the biological potential to procreate.

The first menstruation marks the onset of puberty : during this phase of development, a series of physiological processes and anatomical changes take place which prepare for complete sexual maturation.

The menarche also indicates the beginning of ovarian activity which will culminate every month, halfway through the menstrual cycle, with ovulation .

What does having menstruation mean?

Menstruation consists of the exfoliation of the mucosa covering the inner wall of the uterus (endometrium), accompanied by a variable blood loss through the vagina. This phenomenon is renewed cyclically every month and lasts, on average, from 3 to 7 days.
The first day of menstruation marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle, which in most women lasts between 25 and 36 days. Regardless of the period of time between two flows, menstruation occurs 14 days after ovulation.
Menstruation allows the uterus to eliminate the inner lining built during the previous phase (if conception has not occurred). By renewing the mucous layer of the endometrium, the uterus maintains, from a biological point of view, the "soil" that will welcome the possibly fertilized egg.
These changes occur from puberty to menopause and are directly related to fertility. In other words, menstruation indicates the presence of an ovulation cycle, hence the ability to procreate.

Age of Appearance

At what age do the first menstruations appear?

The sexual maturity of girls is not always reached at the same age: the time at which the changes associated with puberty occur vary greatly from subject to subject.

In most cases, the menarche occurs between the ages of 10 and 16, although the first menstrual flows appear on average at 12-13 years.

In any case, this phenomenon is very subjective, as it depends on various biological, environmental, hormonal and genetic factors: it is precisely for this reason that the first menstrual flows are subject to irregularities.

Early and delayed puberty.

When the first menstruation appears before the age of 10, we speak of precocious puberty . If the menarche is delayed, that is to say between 16 and 18 years of age, we speak, instead, of puberal delay .

On the other hand, the lack of menstruation beyond the age of 18 is defined as primary amenorrhea .

Menarche and family predisposition

It can be seen with some frequency that the female components of the same family reach sexual maturity at about the same age.

If the appearance of menstruation has been precocious in the mother, it is likely that in the girl development occurs early. The family predisposition also applies to late entry into the pubertal period.

Irregularity after the menarche

At the beginning, menstruation can be irregular: it can happen that for some months, for example, the flow appears at intervals of two to three weeks or only once every two to three months. Also the intensity of menstruation can vary a lot from one cycle to another (with flows that are sometimes very scarce, sometimes more abundant).

The regularity of the cycle depends on many factors that must harmonize with each other and the body must find a certain balance. Generally speaking, irregularities in rhythm, quantity and / or duration of the menstrual cycle can be considered normal in the two years after the menarche. Usually, this initial situation normalizes spontaneously and requires no treatment.

In case of prolonged irregularity or lack of the monthly cycle (amenorrhea), a general practitioner or gynecologist can ascertain the evolutionary status of the uterus and ovaries, overall development and physical conditions, as well as giving an answer to any doubts of the girl.

What factors can influence the irregularities of the first menstruation?

The initial regularity of the monthly cycles can be influenced by mental and mental stress (eg excessive academic commitment, family conflicts, emotional separation, etc.), exaggerated physical activity (competitive sports) and drastic weight change, secondary to dietary imbalances.

The irregularity of menstruation during adolescence may, however, have other origins, such as abnormalities of the uterine mucosa and eating disorders, without excluding the possibility of a possible pregnancy.

To remember. The state of health greatly influences the appearance of the menarche: when the first menstruation occurs, it not only means that the body is healthy, but also indicates the correct functioning of the woman's reproductive system.

How to prepare for the menarche

Before the menarche, a series of physiological processes and anatomical changes take place that prepare for complete sexual maturation .

In general, there is a correlation between the onset of menstruation and the development of a woman's body : in most cases, the growth process ends with the regularization of the monthly cycle.

During this developmental period, in particular, the female body undergoes many changes, including:

Growth and maturation of the mammary glands (telarca);
Modification of the appearance of the nipples;
Appearance of hair in the underarm and pubic area;
Height increase;
Increased sweat production, which can cause an intensification of the smell;
Achievement of a sufficient body mass, with development of the regional subcutaneous adipose panniculus and transformation of the figure that assumes the typical feminine forms.

Moreover, in this evolutionary phase, skin eruptions (acne) may appear.

As for the private parts, the hymen becomes soft and elastic and the external genital organs gradually take shape in small and large lips.

The role of parents

Puberty represents a period of change and the appearance of the first menstrual flows is part of being a woman.

In this evolutionary phase, girls tend to face deep inner and environmental conflicts, which lead to manifestations of restlessness, behavioral excesses and mood swings. Especially in this period, parents should show interest and understanding for the problems their children are facing, trying to establish a dialogue based on trust .

In this context, it is good to talk to the girl about menstruation even before they appear, so that she is prepared to consider the event as perfectly normal and to avoid being surprised by the sudden appearance of the menarche. This explanation can take place as soon as the breast enlargement begins to appear, approximately between 10 and 12 years.

Parents must inform - in an exhaustive and unprejudiced way - the girl of the importance of the sexual changes that this period entails. Furthermore, during this approach it is important to understand the concept that the first pregnancy (and the first ovulation) is the beginning of a pregnancy.

How to present the first menstruation

The arrival of the first cycle can be heralded by a series of signals, such as a sense of breast tension, headache, transient weight gain and mood swings.

When the body is ready, some pink or dark spots will appear on the underwear.

Other symptoms that can be associated with the onset of menstruation are: