What is menarche why is it an indication of puberty for girls

If a girl has had an otherwise normal development of her breasts and pubic hair but does not have her first period by the age of 16, she could also have a problem. This is known as delayed menarche or primary amenorrhea. Most likely the cause of this delay in menarche is due to continued interference with the hormonal cascade needed for menstruation to occur. This can happen in very athletic teen girls including ballet dancers and in girls suffering from eating disorders especially anorexia nervosa.

Very rarely a girl could have a congenital absence of her uterus a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauer Syndrome. Actually beginning just before the first menstrual period a girl has had her first ovulation.

It is actually that first ovulation that causes the first period or menarche. Once a girl ovulates she can get pregnant. It is important for girls to know that having sex even before they have had their first period could result in pregnancy. Menarche is a normal process. In most women, it marks the beginning of regular monthly periods that will last until around the age of 52 which is typically when menopause is reached.

Also Known As: the first period, first menstrual cycle. Updated by Andrea Chisholm MD. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Physiology, Menarche. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated April 15, Teens Health from Nemours. All about periods. Abnormalities of Female Pubertal Development. Endotext [Internet]. The girl's body shape will also begin to change. There may be an increase not only in height and weight, but the hips may get wider as well.

There may also be an increase in fat in the buttocks, legs, and stomach. These are normal changes that may happen during puberty. Her body size will increase, with the feet, arms, legs, and hands beginning to grow in advance of the body.

This may cause a girl to feel clumsy. As the puberty hormones increase, teens may have an increase in oily skin and sweating. This is a normal part of growing. It's important to wash daily, including the face. Acne may develop. Teen girls will also menstruate, or have menstrual periods, often every month. This begins when the body starts making more hormones to get ready for reproduction. Over time, the body begins to release eggs from the ovaries.

This means that the teen girl is able to get pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina. The teenage years bring many changes—not only physically, but also mentally and socially. For the first year or two, your cycle may not be regular and you may not have a period sometimes. If you are underweight because of dieting or exercise, have a lot of stress in your life, or are overweight, your periods may be hard to predict.

Keep a calendar, and mark the day you start your period each month. This can help you predict when you'll have your next period and is also useful when you talk with your doctor. Your menstrual cycle makes it possible for you to get pregnant. Sometime around the middle of each cycle, you will ovulate , which means one of your ovaries will release an egg. You may have a slight discharge from your vagina or some spotting of blood when you ovulate.

You are most likely to get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse on the day of ovulation or on any of the five days before it. For more information, see:. You should assume you can get pregnant any time of the month. The timing of ovulation is different for everyone, especially those who have periods that don't start at the same time every month. Don't rely on your friends' advice about how and when you can get pregnant. Talk to a health professional—your doctor, school nurse, or nurse practitioner—and parents, if possible, for reliable information about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Getting pregnant has nothing to do with how many times you have sex. If you are near the time of ovulation when you have sexual intercourse, you can get pregnant. If you have started your periods, you can get pregnant, even if your body is not mature enough to handle the stress of pregnancy.

Girls age 10 or 11, or even younger, have become pregnant. You can also get pregnant in the month before you start your first period. Position has nothing to do with getting pregnant. The egg and sperm can move no matter what position your body is in. Although the chance of getting pregnant at this time is less for most women, if you have short cycles less than 28 days or irregular periods, you may be able to get pregnant if you have sex during your period.

Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.