Cohort study, 2008

Does age at menarche affect how much premenstrual symptoms women have?

Women who started their period before age 11 reported more symptoms and syndrome, but the difference was not strong enough to be certain it wasn't just chance.

Moderate study design Young women born in 1982 in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, interviewed in their early 20s

What they did

Researchers looked at women born in 1982 in Brazil who were interviewed in 2004-2005. They asked about four symptoms: irritability, anxiety or stress, depressed mood, and emotional ups and downs. They investigated whether the age they started their period was linked to these symptoms.

What they found

Irritability was the most common symptom (52.3%), followed by anxiety (40.2%). Moderate premenstrual syndrome affected 13.4%, and severe PMS affected 5.8%. The average age at menarche was 12.4 years. Women whose menarche was before age 11 had higher rates of symptoms and syndrome, but this difference was not statistically significant.

What it means for you

This study suggests a possible link between starting your period very young and having more premenstrual symptoms, but the evidence was not strong enough to be certain. Information on this relationship is scarce in other research.

52.3%

Irritability prevalence

40.2%

Anxiety prevalence

12.4 years

Mean age at menarche

About the study

Original title: Premenstrual symptoms and syndrome according to age at menarche in a 1982 birth cohort in southern Brazil
Authors: Silva CM, Gigante DP, Minten GC
Journal: Cadernos de saude publica
Year: 2008
Study design: Cohort study
What was tested: None
Open access: Yes
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1590/s0102-311x2008000400014

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Anxiety and tension Irritability and anger Adolescents and young people

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