A new study came out in May looking at trends for menarche (the onset of the menstrual cycle) in menstruating people in the USA born between 1950 and 2005. Like other recent studies on the topic, it found that, on average, the age of menarche is getting younger and younger. For menstruating people in the study who were born between 2000 and 2005, 16% were starting their period between the ages of 9 and 11. Compare that to only 8% of people in the study who were born between 1950 and 1969. The study also found that these trends were even more pronounced for menstruating people of color.
While menarche is an exciting milestone in life that should be celebrated as part of a young person's coming-of-age, there is concern that the earlier menarche starts, the higher the risk is for developing adverse health outcomes in the future. Cardiovascular disease, cancers, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), and premature death are some of the health risks associated with early menstruation.
The study lists BMI and socio-economic status as possible contributing factors to this trend, but notes that these are only partial mediators.
In the broader world of holistic health, doctors, midwives, and nutrition professionals have been sounding the alarm for years. Doctor, midwife, and herbalist Aviva Romm expands the list of possible contributing factors in an episode of her podcast:
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDFs are found in everything from cosmetics, personal care products, plastics, flame retardant fabrics, household cleaning products, our air, soil, water, and food)
Stress and mental health (it's thought that higher levels of cortisol can trigger the premature activation of the pituitary and adrenal glands which send the body signals to begin ovarian maturation, boosting estrogen production, and developing pubic and underarm hair)
Sedentary lifestyles, decreased sunlight exposure and disrupted circadian rhythms are additional speculative factors of concern
There are also studies that show gut microbiome health as having a correlation to precocious puberty (puberty before 8 years old in females and puberty before 9 years old in males). Gut microbiota can influence brain function and behavior as well as gonadal organ function, hormone regulation, and metabolism through various mechanisms. Antibiotics, high glucose diets, and bacterial overgrowth can negatively impact these communication pathways.
So, what can be done?
This is by no means and exhaustive list, but here are some places you can start:
One thing I do with all clients experiencing hormone disruptions is to take inventory of their personal and household products and help them find alternatives. We discuss possible exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDFs) and flame retardants in their lives like furniture, decorations, clothing, and work environments and see where they might be able to make changes.
More and more young people are using reusable waterbottles (Sidenote: for an interesting deep dive into the cult of the Stanley brand of water bottle, I highly recommend this podcast). This is a great choice for them and the environment, but choosing glass and stainless steal are much better for lowering EDF exposure than plastic. Any plastic containers (bottles, plastic wraps, and food containers) can increase exposure to EDF especially if they are heated up.
Eat organic foods whenever possible. Pesticides, added hormones in cow and dairy products, antibiotics in fish and meat products, can add to hormone and gut disruptions. Because organic foods are not always physically or financially accessible, use the EWG's Dirty Dozen list to learn about which foods are most important to avoid or buy organic. Hot tip: frozen foods are sometimes a cheaper way to access organic foods and are often fresher than out of season foods (like strawberries in winter!)
Nurture the gut microbiome. Incorporate prebiotic and probiotic foods into the diet to help strengthen the gut-brain-gonadatropin pathways. Fermented foods including miso, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt, contain beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. Foods like apples, avocados, seaweed, asparagus, and onions are prebiotics that feed the beneficial probiotic bacteria.
Address mental health. Model and help your children cultivate mindfulness practices like breathing exercises and meditation to reduce stress and build resilience. Help them find community through activities, classes, and clubs. Reduce exposure to social media and screen time. Encourage movement and outdoor activities. Seek professional help when needed.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic and how you can support your young person's transition into puberty, please reach out and we can discuss ways to set your household up for success.
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