Puberty is something that most parents fear and children are completely unprepared for. No matter how many times your children have the “puberty talk”. They will still enter through it unprepared, but at least they are knowledgeable. Those unexpected sweat stains, abnormal hair growth, bras and so on. One thing that is incredibly important to talk to young women about puberty besides hormones, the birds and the bees and their changing bodies is their first menstruation. There are a lot of things parents and even adults don’t know about periods. Some of us may have gotten our period early in life. Getting your first menstruation when you are 9 or 10 years old gives you a big jump in puberty than the rest of your age group and this will surely have an effect on your body. We’ve compiled different facts about getting your period early. Read on to find out more.
Genetics
There is a huge chance that if your mom got her period early, you probably will too. Thanks to your genetics you are predisposed to having your period early. You may get your period the same age as she was or even younger. Though, that is not always the case. You can get your period a lot later than expected. But if it is according to family history and genetics you should get it early. If most women in your family get their period early or late, you probably will too and your children. You can go around your family and ask around what the normal age is to get you or your children ready.
Environment
Have you heard about the debate on hormones in foods that cause early puberty? A lot people claim that there is increased amount of hormones in the food we eat, may it be processed or organic food. This theory isn’t as off based. Food industry operations, pollution and chemicals all have ties to early menstruation. Pollution and certain chemicals found in food, plastic and even in the air we breathe can affect our glands and hormones. These can cause us to start puberty early. Excessive hair growth, sweating, hormones and different odors in men and early menstruation in women.
Weight
There are a lot of said causes for early period, but only some of them have been proven. One that is a sure reason and researched about cause is being overweight. There is a direct link to fat and puberty. For your body to undergo puberty, it needs a lot of energy. We can get energy from different things, but the most notable way is in the form of fat. If you are young and overweight for your age, your body will start to wonder what it has to do with the excess energy. Making it assume that it is ready for puberty. Then puberty will start knocking on your door and you’re going to get your first period. This is why children or young adults that tend to be more athletic get their first menstruation later than does who have little to normal physical activities.
Behavior Problems
Studies have shown that people that had or have their period early are more prone to developing behavior problems. Problems such as eating disorders, aggression, anxiety and depression. They will not only struggle with their fluctuating hormones, but also the isolation from getting their periods a lot earlier than their peers and experiencing physical changes before the rest of their friends or classmates. This leaves them feeling vulnerable and secluded.
Household
Recent studies have shown that stability of a household can affect your period. Psychological studies have suggested that people that grew up in a troubled home, have neglectful parents, isolated surroundings, divorced parents, absent parental figure, undergoes a lot of stress or lives in an unstable or unsafe surroundings are more likely to experience their periods early. This is due to your body’s ability to cope under pressure. Your evolutionary instincts will push your body to mature thinking that it is in danger and needs to reproduce as soon as possible.
Becoming a woman early in life can be weird for children. Being the one that has gone through puberty before the rest of your class can be challenging. However, it doesn’t make you abnormal. Some women may get their first menstruation on their 11th year and some can even get it on their 18th year. Getting your period early is not that big of a deal as it was then. Now, the average age of young women who acquire period is around 12 years old. A decade ago the norm was 16 years old.
