Menarche and Menstruation: A review of the Literature

The onset of menstruation is a physiological and psychological milestone in a woman's reproductive life. Although research does not document conclusively the direct impact of psychological and physiological events during menarche on subsequent menstrual and reproductive events (Barclay, 1982; Golub & Catalano, 1983; Ruble & Brooks-Gunn, 1982), menarche is recognized as one of the most vivid and emotion-laden events for the human female (Grief & Ulman, 1982; Koff, Rierdan, & Jacobson, 1981), regardless of the specific cultural practices of the society (Logan, 1980). Age of menarche decreased markedly from 1830 to 1960 in every reporting country (Tanner, 1962). In 1960, the United States had the lowest mean age of menarche, 12.5 years, a decrease from 14.3 years reported in 1900. Current data seems to have reached a plateau, and a further significant decrease may not be seen (Tanner, 1981; Zacharis, Wurtman, & Schatzoff, 1970). Age at menarche has been associated with many factors, including family heredity and size (Bullough, 1981; Crawford & Osler, 1975; Litt & Cohen, 1973; Singh, 1972), exposure to light, socioeconomic level, and nutrition (Frisch & Revelle, 1970; Osler & Crawford, 1973; Richardson & Pieters, 1977).