Girls, ever wondered if it’s good to have periods or not? Life will certainly be easier and happier. Isn’t?
Would you call yourselves lucky if for the first time on some random day you got stain on your favourite skirt, while playing with your friends? or while sitting in a classroom among your classmates? or during some family event going on, while you run crying to your mom? No, right? You will be embarrassed to the core and hope to not see those people again.
But, I would say consider yourself lucky if that ever happened because you achieved puberty right and your body is healthy.
There are many girls who miss their menarche (aka amenorrhoea). And why does it matter so much?
Well, it surely does, starting periods at the correct age is crucial for depicting that our reproductive system is healthy.
The average age for menarche is between 8.5-13 years. There are various causes for primary amenorrhoea, which should be ruled out in case a young girl presents with missed first periods. WHO has classified the causes based on Gonadotropin levels.
WHO classification-
Group I: Hypogonadotropic causes-
-Constitutional delay
-Hypothalamic amenorrhoea
-Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Group III: Hypergonadotropic causes-
-Turner Syndrome
-Gonadal Malignancy
-Spontaneous pregnancy
Puberty and menarche is a significant milestones. Lack of normal development can be psychologically distressing. So the mothers of young girls and as well as girls approach puberty should be educated about it.
The cause should be timely diagnosed, as treatment can be given accordingly to improve the future life of the girl child.
Do you think menstrual health topics like this are discussed openly enough?
This post beautifully highlights an often overlooked truth, getting periods at the right age is actually a sign of healthy development, not an inconvenience. Many girls experience shame or embarrassment around menarche, while others silently struggle with delayed puberty or primary amenorrhoea without understanding its significance. Conditions under WHO’s classification show how diverse the causes can be, and why early evaluation matters. Unfortunately, menstrual health is still not discussed openly, especially in many families and schools. Breaking this silence is essential, open conversations help girls recognise normal development, seek timely care, and feel confident rather than ashamed about their bodies.
As a fertility specialist, it genuinely makes me happy to see conversations like this becoming more open and less taboo. Menstrual health is such a basic part of growing up, yet so many young girls still move through it silently, confused or embarrassed. The more we talk about it, the more we normalise these experiences which can change a girl’s entire relationship with her body. Truly glad to see this topic getting the attention it deserves.
A menarche has become a taboo topic akong the indian society. People become scared calling the blood as unholy and avoid girls duting this time.This neglect can lead to various emotional traumas and fears. Empathy among fellow girls and instillment of knowledge among the boys at an early age about this normal human physiology should be implemented among our society.
It is a great information covered about menstruation. But most of girls and women’s doesn’t have proper knowledge. Some women’s follow Indian culture, but it’s ok following culture is good but I couldn’t be stressful like we can’t go anywhere staying as side etc. Even now a days there is no healthy diet before getting menstruation cycle even after, facing a health issues like pcod, PCOS etc. I think every girl have to knowledge about proper food to maintain proper healthy live avoiding future health consequences .
I believe we could see a lot more discussions about menstrual health nowadays when compared to some 10 years before. But still a long way to go in providing proper understanding of the changes a girl faces in her physical, emotional and mental health and how is she supposed to take care. Through schools the awareness for early and delayed menarche can be taken to students and their parents.
Even in this age periods is considered a taboo.Even though it is a normal physiological activity in a girl’s life people still feel shame to talk about it.Change should start from each household.Attention should be given on counselling girls on the physical and emotional changes before attaining menarche.Mentrual hygiene should also be discussed rather than shying away from the topic.
This is such an important topic and you’ve explained it beautifully. Menstruation is still treated as something “embarrassing,” especially when a girl gets her first stain in public but very few people talk about how missing that first period can be far more concerning than getting it unexpectedly.
There are still many moms and grandmas who worry or even criticize “menstruation” when a girl gets her period around age 10, thinking it is “too early”. Many are unaware that delayed menarche can signal underlying health conditions. Public awareness on this topic is still lacking, and more education is needed to help families understand what normal puberty looks like. Thank you for sharing this important information.
Menstrual health topics are still not discussed openly enough because many individuals hesitate due to social stigma, myths or lack of awareness. Posts like this can create an awareness and lead to open conversations and it also plays an important role in educating people.
In some parts of India, menarche is depicted as something after which girls will be doomed for life, later realising that their are actually some communities which celebrate it was quite a surprise. How easy it would have made those young girls to accept their biology and its natural processes rather than making them embarrassed about it. This practice should be practiced in all Communities so girls would happily announce about menarche rather than hiding it, this would help in removing the taboo associated with periods and also would make discussions about late menarche easier.
A well written and clinically relevant discussion on delayed menarche. Understanding conditions related to puberty delayed is essential for timely assessment, as it helps clinicians distinguish between constitutional delay and potential endocrine or system disorders, ensuring appropriate counselling and management.
Glad to see that menstruation is finally being discussed instead of being treated as something to hide or ignore. These conversations are not just important, but necessary. Creating awareness among young minds is essential to normalise periods and encourage them to embrace it without any embarassment.
Powerful and much-needed perspective. This post beautifully normalizes menstruation while highlighting the medical and psychological importance of menarche. Conversations like these are still not open enough, and raising awareness can truly change how young girls and families understand menstrual health.
I agree, menstrual health needs to be talked about more openly. Missing periods can be emotionally stressful and many girls don’t realize it can be a medical issue that needs attention. Early awareness and education can help remove fear and stigma and ensure timely care.
