Latest news with #HumanReproduction
LeMonde
21-05-2025
- Health
- LeMonde
Age at first menstruation influenced by dietary quality
On average, girls experience their first menstruation between the ages of 12 and 13 – a figure that has steadily declined over the past two centuries. A study published on May 6 in the journal Human Reproduction found that the eating habits of pre-adolescent girls could influence this biological milestone, independent of body mass index (BMI) or height, which are already known to affect the age at first menstruation. "We observed [...] that a healthier diet was linked to menstrual periods starting at an older age," said Holly Harris, associate professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle who coordinated the study. "As earlier age at menarche is associated with multiple later life outcomes, including higher risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, this may be an important period for trying to reduce the risk of these chronic diseases." To conduct this research, scientists examined the eating habits of approximately 7,000 American girls aged 9 to 14 who had not yet gone through puberty when they were recruited for the prospective Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) cohort. On average, they had their first period at age 13.1, consistent with data from the general population. At enrollment and then at regular intervals during the follow-up, participants completed a questionnaire on how often they consumed 132 types of foods and drinks – ranging from never or less than once a month to once or several times a week.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Condition May Raise Your Risk of Autoimmune Disease
If you're one of the more than 6.5 million women in the US who struggles with endometriosis (or have a loved one who does), you'll know it can result in excruciating period pain and heavy bleeding. But the disease is also now linked to a higher-than-usual risk of developing certain autoimmune disorders, according to recent research. And while this news may make it feel like the whole world is against you—or, at least, your uterus—researchers stress that knowing your risk early and taking action can go a long way toward helping to keep you healthy in the long run. Here's what the study found, plus what could be behind the link, according to an expert. Meet the expert: Christine Greves, MD, is an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida. The study, which was published in the journal Human Reproduction, analyzed data from more than 8,000 cases of endometriosis in the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database. The researchers also looked at 64,000 cases of autoimmune diseases to see if there was a link between having endometriosis and over 31 different autoimmune conditions—and as it turns out, there was. The researchers discovered that people with endometriosis were anywhere from 30 to 80 percent more likely to develop an autoimmune condition compared to those who didn't have endometriosis. (The exact increased risk profile depended on the specific autoimmune condition being observed.) Endometriosis is technically a disease, and it occurs when uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health (OASH). More than 11 percent of American women between the ages of 15 and 44 are estimated to have endometriosis, but it can be hard to officially confirm the disease's presence since that often requires an invasive surgery to test tissue growth. The condition can cause very intense pain during periods, pain during or after sex, bleeding or spotting between periods, and infertility, per OASH. This study flagged a few autoimmune diseases that were specifically linked to endometriosis: Rheumatoid arthritis Multiple sclerosis Celiac disease Osteoarthritis Psoriasis The short answer? Experts still don't know. While this isn't the first study to find a link between endometriosis and certain autoimmune diseases, it's not clear if having endometriosis causes people to develop the other conditions or if there's a random association that can be explained by something else, says Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida. However, the findings aren't shocking to her. 'I definitely see patients with endometriosis and autoimmune diseases,' she says. As for why this may happen, some scientists have noted that immune system changes that occur as a result of endometriosis are similar to those seen with autoimmune diseases. So, the two may interact in a similar way in the body. People with endometriosis also tend to deal with inflammation and a higher risk of immune system complications, including chronic infections and long COVID. As a result, there may be some immune system link here—we just don't know what it is, Dr. Greves says. Since no one knows why some people develop autoimmune diseases and others don't, it's hard to give a solid answer. However, Dr. Greves says that doing your best to live a healthy lifestyle and checking in on a regular basis with your primary care physician may help. 'If you do develop an autoimmune disease and you catch it early enough, you may be able to manage the symptoms from the beginning—and that may help with your long-term health status,' Dr. Greves says. Basically, do your best to take care of you—and don't be afraid to speak up if something feels off. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
India Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Your child's diet could influence when periods begin
The food you eat during childhood could influence when a girl experiences her first period, according to researchers from the University of to the new study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, diets high in inflammatory foods may lead to an earlier onset of menstruation, which in turn is linked to higher risks of chronic diseases in study found that eating healthier foods was linked to a later start of menstruation, while eating more unhealthy, inflammatory foods was linked to an earlier start, no matter the child's weight or Since getting your period earlier can increase the risk of health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer later in life, making better food choices during childhood could help reduce these found that girls who consumed more inflammatory foods, such as red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugary drinks, had a 15% greater chance of getting their first period in the following month. Since getting your period earlier can increase the risk of health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer later in life, making better food choices during childhood could help reduce these risks. () advertisementIn contrast, those who ate healthier diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, and legumes had an 8% lower risk."An early first period is not just a milestone, it's a signal for potential long-term health issues like breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes,' said senior study author Dr. Holly Harris, associate professor of epidemiology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in study analysed data from over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14 who were part of the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). Researchers tracked dietary patterns and the age at which menstruation began using two indices: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory body fat has long been thought to play a central role in triggering early puberty, the study found that the link between diet and early menstruation persisted even after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). While body fat has long been thought to play a central role in triggering early puberty, the study found that the link between diet and early menstruation persisted even after adjusting for body mass index. () This suggests that other aspects of a poor diet, such as its inflammatory nature, could be driving early hormonal factors may also contribute. Previous research points to air pollution and certain personal care products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals as possible influences on early help reduce risks, the researchers recommended providing children with access to healthier meals, especially through school Reel
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A healthy diet may be a key to girls starting puberty at a later age, new research suggests
Girls who grow up eating a healthier diet than their peers may be less likely to get their first menstrual periods at an earlier age — regardless of height or body mass index — a new study suggests. Though previous research has tied height and BMI to the earlier onset of menarche, or first period, the study, published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction, claims to be the first to explore the biological milestone's link to specific diets. Girls typically begin puberty — marked by acne, growth spurts, breast development and the growth of body and pubic hair — anywhere from ages 8 to 13, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. They get their first periods roughly two years after their breasts start developing. While precocious puberty, which is the onset of puberty in girls younger than 8 and boys younger than 9, affects just 1% of U.S. children, girls nationwide are getting their first periods earlier and earlier. The median age at menarche was 11.9 in 2013 through 2017, down from 12.1 in 1995, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Early menarche is more than untimely sexual maturity. Girls who get their periods younger than average are at increased risk of myriad medical problems throughout adolescence, such as depression, substance abuse and eating disorders. As adults, they have heightened odds of developing breast cancer, heart disease, obesity and other conditions. To study the possible effects of diet on the age of a girl's first period, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle looked at the health records of more than 7,500 children ages 9 to 14 who had been enrolled in two waves of the Growing Up Today Study, from 1996 through 2001 and 2004 through 2008. As part of that study, the kids completed questionnaires about the foods they ate. The researchers used two scales to gauge the girls' self-reported eating habits. One looked at how healthy a child's diet was, giving more points for healthier foods, such as legumes, whole grains and vegetables, and deducting points for less healthy foods, including red meat and products high in salt and trans fats. The second scale looked at how much people's diets contributed to inflammation, with foods such as refined grains, high-calorie drinks and red and processed meat considered more inflammatory. The median age of participants' first periods was 13.1, the study found. Girls who ate healthiest, the study estimated, were more likely to get their periods at a slightly older age than those who reported eating the least healthy diets. Similarly, girls who ate the highest amounts of inflammatory foods were more likely than those who ate the lowest amounts to get their first periods at a slightly younger age. The study is observational, meaning it doesn't prove that a particular diet causes early periods but instead establishes a possible link. A major limitation of the study is that the majority of participants were white. Race and ethnicity are well-studied aspects of early menarche, with Black and Hispanic girls more likely to experience it. What should girls eat to avoid early periods? One hypothesis linking diet and age of first period, the authors wrote, is that the foods a person eats can affect levels of sex hormones in the body. A previous study of premenopausal women found that eating a healthier diet is linked to lower levels of certain sex hormones, including versions of estrogen. Inflammation has also been shown to have an effect on sex hormone levels. Previous research has shown that excess fat, or adipose tissue, influences the hormone pathways that regulate puberty, said Erin Hennessy, director of the ChildObesity180 program at Tufts University, who wasn't part of the study. 'Adipose tissue produces certain hormones, including leptin, which send signals to the brain, and the thought is that higher levels of leptin among children with excess weight can trigger specific hormones that initiate puberty earlier,' Hennessy said in an email. 'Adipose tissue can also alter sex hormones, leading to higher estrogen levels that promote breast development and menarche onset.' Diet alone doesn't determine the timing of a girl's first period. Genetics, environmental toxins, physical activity and socioeconomic status, among other factors, also play roles. Still, parents can support their children's overall health and well-being through nutrition, Hennessy said. 'The first strategy is to acknowledge that weight is one of many factors of health and should never be the sole focus,' Hennessy said. 'The second strategy is to take a family approach — everyone in the family can benefit from healthy eating.' Third, Hennessy encourages parents to provide nutritional structure that isn't coercive or overly controlling, such as pressuring children to eat or using food as a reward. Parental role modeling is a simple way to guide food choices and help children build healthy eating routines. Parents might also consider engaging their children in meal planning and preparation. When in doubt, Hennessy said, refer to the Agriculture Department's MyPlate program for dietary recommendations for children at different developmental stages. 'Emphasis should be on the major food groups and include a variety of foods within each group,' Hennessy said. Your meals should include 'a rainbow of fruits and vegetables; at least half of your grains are whole grains; lean proteins (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and nuts) and low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives.' In addition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage limiting intake of sodium, added sugars and saturated fats. 'No matter what your weight status, a healthy diet is important for better health,' Hennessy said. Even for preteens who've long consumed unhealthy foods, puberty presents an opportunity for positive change, said Dr. Rachel Whooten, a pediatric endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, who wasn't involved in the study. It's 'a key time to optimize all of the health behaviors — optimize nutrition, optimize physical activity, optimize sleep, decrease screen time,' Whooten said. 'A lot of those behaviors do worsen throughout middle and later adolescence. … It's never too late to promote the healthier habits.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Girls who eat a healthy diet may be less likely to start puberty early, study suggests
Girls who grow up eating a healthier diet than their peers may be less likely to get their first menstrual periods at an earlier age — regardless of height or body mass index — a new study suggests. Though previous research has tied height and BMI to the earlier onset of menarche, or first period, the study, published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction, claims to be the first to explore the biological milestone's link to specific diets. Girls typically begin puberty — marked by acne, growth spurts, breast development and the growth of body and pubic hair — anywhere from ages 8 to 13, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. They get their first periods roughly two years after their breasts start developing. While precocious puberty, which is the onset of puberty in girls younger than 8 and boys younger than 9, affects just 1% of U.S. children, girls nationwide are getting their first periods earlier and earlier. The median age at menarche was 11.9 in 2013 through 2017, down from 12.1 in 1995, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Early menarche is more than untimely sexual maturity. Girls who get their periods younger than average are at increased risk of myriad medical problems throughout adolescence, such as depression, substance abuse and eating disorders. As adults, they have heightened odds of developing breast cancer, heart disease, obesity and other conditions. To study the possible effects of diet on the age of a girl's first period, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle looked at the health records of more than 7,500 children ages 9 to 14 who had been enrolled in two waves of the Growing Up Today Study, from 1996 through 2001 and 2004 through 2008. As part of that study, the kids completed questionnaires about the foods they ate. The researchers used two scales to gauge the girls' self-reported eating habits. One looked at how healthy a child's diet was, giving more points for healthier foods, such as legumes, whole grains and vegetables, and deducting points for less healthy foods, including red meat and products high in salt and trans fats. The second scale looked at how much people's diets contributed to inflammation, with foods such as refined grains, high-calorie drinks and red and processed meat considered more inflammatory. The median age of participants' first periods was 13.1, the study found. Girls who ate healthiest, the study estimated, were more likely to get their periods at a slightly older age than those who reported eating the least healthy diets. Similarly, girls who ate the highest amounts of inflammatory foods were more likely than those who ate the lowest amounts to get their first periods at a slightly younger age. The study is observational, meaning it doesn't prove that a particular diet causes early periods but instead establishes a possible link. A major limitation of the study is that the majority of participants were white. Race and ethnicity are well-studied aspects of early menarche, with Black and Hispanic girls more likely to experience it. What should girls eat to avoid early periods? One hypothesis linking diet and age of first period, the authors wrote, is that the foods a person eats can affect levels of sex hormones in the body. A previous study of premenopausal women found that eating a healthier diet is linked to lower levels of certain sex hormones, including versions of estrogen. Inflammation has also been shown to have an effect on sex hormone levels. Previous research has shown that excess fat, or adipose tissue, influences the hormone pathways that regulate puberty, said Erin Hennessy, director of the ChildObesity180 program at Tufts University, who wasn't part of the study. 'Adipose tissue produces certain hormones, including leptin, which send signals to the brain, and the thought is that higher levels of leptin among children with excess weight can trigger specific hormones that initiate puberty earlier,' Hennessy said in an email. 'Adipose tissue can also alter sex hormones, leading to higher estrogen levels that promote breast development and menarche onset.' Diet alone doesn't determine the timing of a girl's first period. Genetics, environmental toxins, physical activity and socioeconomic status, among other factors, also play roles. Still, parents can support their children's overall health and well-being through nutrition, Hennessy said. 'The first strategy is to acknowledge that weight is one of many factors of health and should never be the sole focus,' Hennessy said. 'The second strategy is to take a family approach — everyone in the family can benefit from healthy eating.' Third, Hennessy encourages parents to provide nutritional structure that isn't coercive or overly controlling, such as pressuring children to eat or using food as a reward. Parental role modeling is a simple way to guide food choices and help children build healthy eating routines. Parents might also consider engaging their children in meal planning and preparation. When in doubt, Hennessy said, refer to the Agriculture Department's MyPlate program for dietary recommendations for children at different developmental stages. 'Emphasis should be on the major food groups and include a variety of foods within each group,' Hennessy said. Your meals should include 'a rainbow of fruits and vegetables; at least half of your grains are whole grains; lean proteins (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and nuts) and low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives.' In addition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage limiting intake of sodium, added sugars and saturated fats. 'No matter what your weight status, a healthy diet is important for better health,' Hennessy said. Even for preteens who've long consumed unhealthy foods, puberty presents an opportunity for positive change, said Dr. Rachel Whooten, a pediatric endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, who wasn't involved in the study. It's 'a key time to optimize all of the health behaviors — optimize nutrition, optimize physical activity, optimize sleep, decrease screen time,' Whooten said. 'A lot of those behaviors do worsen throughout middle and later adolescence. … It's never too late to promote the healthier habits.'
