Early or late periods? Age of the first period can predict health risks in the future
Everything in life is interconnected, especially when it comes to health. Menstrual health has a huge role in defining the overall health and wellness of women. Turns out, the age of your first period has a huge role in what's to come later in life.
A recent study has shown that the age at which a woman experiences her first period may offer important clues about her long-term health.
According to a new Brazilian study presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, California, the age of first period can offer valuable clues about a woman's long-term risk for conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and reproductive health issues.
What is
menarche
Menarche refers to the first menstrual period in a female adolescent. This typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 16, with the average age of
onset
being 12.4 years.
Menarche and future health
The recent Brazilian study has found a link between menarche and future health. The researchers found that both early and late menarche, the age at which women first get their
period
, are linked to different health risks.
To understand the link, the researchers evaluated data from 7,623 women ages 35 to 74, who were part of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil).
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The age of their first period was categorized as early (less than 10 years old), typical (ages 10 to 15), or late (older than 15). The researchers weighed on the health of the women through interviews, physical measurements, lab tests, and ultrasound imaging.
According to the study, women who got their first period before age 10 were more likely to develop obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, and reproductive issues like pre-eclampsia later in life.
On the other hand, women who had their period after the age of 15 were less likely to be obese but had a higher risk of menstrual irregularities and certain heart conditions.
What are the experts saying?
Study author Flávia Rezende Tinano of the University of Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, said, 'We now have evidence from a large Brazilian population that confirms how both early and late puberty can have different long-term health impacts.'
'While early menarche increases the risk for multiple metabolic and heart problems, late menarche may protect against obesity but increase certain heart and menstrual issues.
Most women can remember when they had their first period, but they might not realize that it could signal future health risks. Understanding these links can help women and their doctors be more proactive about preventing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,' Tinano added.
Breast Cancer In Indian Women: How Early Periods, Breast Density Among Multiple Factors Are Causing The Rise
Tinano also emphasized that this study is one of the largest of its kind in a developing country, providing valuable data on a topic that has mostly been studied in wealthier countries.
'It highlights how early and late puberty can affect a woman's long-term health, especially in underrepresented populations like those in Latin America,' she said.
'Our findings suggest that knowing a woman's age at her first period can help doctors identify those at higher risk for certain diseases. This information could guide more personalized screening and prevention efforts. It also emphasizes the importance of early health education for young girls and women, especially in developing countries,' Tinano said.
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