Menstruation, also known as the period, is the monthly shedding of the uterus lining, which results in bleeding and discharge from the vagina.
Menstruation is a natural part of the female reproductive cycle, which occurs every 28 days but varies from woman to woman.
The body prepares for pregnancy during menstruation, the uterus lining thickens, and an egg is released from the ovaries. If the egg isn’t fertilised, the lining breaks down, resulting in menstrual fluid exiting from the body through the vagina, and this can last from 3 to 7 days.
The menstrual period usually comes with various symptoms that vary from woman to woman, and they include:
Table of Contents
• Bloating
Hormonal changes can cause the body to retain more water, leading to a swollen and bloated feeling in the abdomen, breasts, and face. Water retention and feelings of bloating are common in the days leading up to and during menstruation.
• Cramping
Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, are painful contractions of the uterus that occur during menstruation. These cramps can range from mild to severe and are often accompanied by back pain, leg pain, and pelvic discomfort.
• Fatigue
Feelings of unusual tiredness or exhaustion is a common symptom of menstruation. Hormonal changes and blood loss can lead to feelings of fatigue, which may be mild or severe.
• Breast tenderness
Hormonal instability can cause breast tenderness, swelling, and sensitive in the days leading up to and during menstruation. This tenderness may be uncomfortable but is usually not a cause for alarm.
• Mood changes
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression are common symptoms of menstruation. Hormonal changes can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, leading to mood changes that may range from mild to severe.
Commonly menstruation starts around the age of 12 but can start at an even earlier age this is called precocious puberty.
Some factors can cause the early start of menstruation or period among young girls and they include:
Genetics
Family history and genetics can play a vital role in early menstruation among young girls e.g. if the mother or any other female relatives experienced early menstruation it is more likely the girl will too.
Race and ethnicity
Girls from certain races and ethnicities are likely to start menstruating earlier than others e.g. Africans, African Americans, and Hispanics.
Hormonal imbalances
Hormonal imbalance is a significant factor in early menstruation. Some of the causes of hormonal imbalance is:
Estrogen dominance: which is high levels of estrogen in the body that can cause early puberty and menstruation.
Thyroid hormone imbalance: An underactive or overactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can affect puberty timing.
Obesity
Having a high level of body fat can increase the levels of estrogen which can result in early puberty and menstruation.
Nutritional factors
Certain foods like dairy, meat, and processed food can cause the early start of puberty and menstruation.
Stress
Regular stress can cause hormonal imbalance which can lead to early puberty and menstruation.
Medical conditions
Medical conditions like hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and McCune-Albright syndrome can cause the early start of puberty and menstruation.
Early development
Some girls are likely to develop earlier than other girls, this can be natural. Early menstruation can have physical and emotional implications, including rapid growth and development, breasts tenderness and growth and also Pubic hair growth etc.
Conclusion
Early menstruation or period among young girls can be caused by factors like genetics, race and ethnicity, hormonal imbalances, obesity, nutritional factors, stress, medical conditions, sensitivity development. It can be natural but It’s important to remember that these factors are usually temporary and can be managed with self-care, over-the-counter medications, and support from healthcare providers i.e gynaecologists and loved ones.
