EARLY MENARCHE: A SOCIAL ISSUE AMONG SCHOOL GIRLS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Menarche is the most important milestone in a girl's reproductive system which is the first menstrual period. Nowadays because of faulty lifestyle and food habits (Modern lifestyle), the normal age of menarche has been dropping for the past few years. Both genetic and non-genetic factors have been found to influence the onset of menarche. Many studies have been carried out in both national and international level to study various factors affecting menarcheal age. Menarche is not just a moment during pubertal progression. Its timing, especially when early, may be associated with several health problems in adolescence and adulthood. This article highlights the need for increased awareness of and efforts to prevent early menarche.