EARLY MENARCHE: AN EMERGING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CHALLENGE CURRENT EVIDENCE AND AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVES

Early menarche is the onset of the first menstrual period at an unusually young age. Menarche before 10 years is generally considered early; however, menstruation at this age requires clinical assessment because it may indicate rapidly progressive puberty or an underlying endocrine disorder. Early menarche is influenced by genetic predisposition, childhood adiposity, nutritional status, neuroendocrine maturation, psychosocial adversity and possible exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Its clinical relevance extends beyond the timing of the first period and includes psychosocial distress, earlier epiphyseal maturation, and associations with later metabolic and reproductive health outcomes. This descriptive review summarises normal pubertal physiology, causes and consequences of early menarche, clinical assessment and management, and preventive concepts described in Ayurveda.