Moms are rethinking their approach to delaying girls’ puberty due to concerns over early menarche’s risks. Experts say the trend may be linked to environmental factors and genetic influences.
Data shows the average age for a girl’s first period is now 11.9 years, with some starting as young as 11 in the US. Moms like Lara Briden and Daniella Gray are advocating for an open conversation around periods with their daughters to ensure positive experiences when puberty arrives.
Briden notes that early menarche may be linked to metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, and breast cancer later in life. However, she emphasizes that the goal shouldn’t be to delay menarche but rather create a healthy food environment that allows normal female physiology to unfold.
Kinderman and Skinner’s approaches focus on creating an environment that doesn’t bring on puberty prematurely. They advise limiting sugars, processed foods, ensuring outdoor exercise, and avoiding heavy use of personal care products with known endocrine disrupters.
Both experts agree that genetic factors play a significant role in determining when girls will start menstruating. While moms can take steps to influence their daughters’ health, there is no guarantee.
Briden says, “It’s not about restriction or micromanaging childhood.” Instead, it’s about creating a food environment that supports normal human female physiology.
By adopting these approaches, moms can help their daughters develop healthy relationships with their bodies and reduce the risks associated with early menarche.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/moms-are-trying-delay-daughters-first-period-experts-say-theyre-right-2075902