The role of menarche in various pathologies

Menarche is a significant event in a woman's life as the time of its onset can influence the development of future pathologies. A review of current literature aimed to investigate how the age of menarche onset impacts the pathophysiology and the contributing risk factors and complications. 

This systematic review searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCO-Host, Springer Link, and Clinical Key from November 2021 to May 2022. Here, a descriptive summary was compiled for each article, and the findings were compared before being incorporated into the current literature review.

Overall, 33 articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review found that early estrogen exposure is a predisposing factor for pathologies such as insulin resistance, asthma, and short stature. Conversely, delayed estrogen exposure is associated with low bone mineral density.

Understanding menarche's role as either a protective or triggering factor for various pathologies allows for the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate these potential future health issues.

Source: Paz MR, Mendoza BM, Castillo NT. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2023 Jul;162(1):244-55.