Black children, especially those from low-income families, are experiencing earlier onset of menstruation and more irregular cycles compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Apple Women’s Health Study.
The study, which included over 71,000 participants born between 1950 and 2005, found that while all groups are experiencing their first period at increasingly younger ages, this trend is most pronounced among Black, Asian, and other nonwhite ethnicities, as well as those of lower socioeconomic status.
Lead author Zifan Wang, a postdoctoral research fellow, noted that early menarche and irregular periods can signal physical and psychological problems later in life, potentially contributing to health disparities in the U.S.
The average age for menarche in the United States is between 12 and 13 years old, but Black girls are more than twice as likely as white girls to begin puberty before age 10. Early menstruation has been linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
This study is among the first to examine the relationship between race, socioeconomic status, and the timing and regularity of menstrual cycles, highlighting the need for further research and interventions to address these disparities in women’s health outcomes.
“Early Onset of Menstruation and Irregular Cycles: A Growing Concern for Black Children of Low Socioeconomic Status” (May 30, 2024)
