His and Her Health

On 5/1 it was discuss that children start their period around the same age as their mother. I was 9, my daughter will soon be 10. She is VERY immature for her age! Will this be a factor for when she starts her period?

I was 9 1/2 when I got my period. I never thought I'd hear of anyone who started earlier! However, my mother didn't get her period until she was 16 and my daughter got her period at 14. I was so relieved that she didn't start as early as I did. I had terrible cramps and that was back in the Dark Ages when the doctors (even women doctors) said it was all in your head.

They said that daughters usually get their first periods at the same age as their mothers, but that's a very broad generalization. What they should have said is IF all things are equal, then daughters will start their period at a similar age. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that, since fat cells help store estrogen, a girl's body fat ratio and diet play a large role in when menarche starts. Girls today have diets that are higher in fat, and they get much less exercise, than they did years ago, and, therefore, are reaching menarche sooner. If a girl has the same diet and exercise practices that her mother had, then she will likely reach menarche at the same age as her mother. If not, then it might be earlier or later.<P>I've made the comment a few times, that the Bermans are taking such a broad stance about the physical side of things, and are so mainstream, that I'm doubting they are teaching women anything they haven't already read in the latest Women's magazine. C'mon Bermans.....I challenge you to really teach women something......go out on a limb and really explain things.<P><P>------------------<BR>Susanne,<BR>Mom of 4<BR>3 iatrogenic c-secs and then a wonderful home waterbirth VBAC

I also want to mention that the amount of environmental estrogen has skyrocketed, especially during and since the 1970's. The more estrogen you're exposed to, the sooner you'll go through menarche. In some parts of the world, there are 4-year-old girls with fully developed breasts and periods, because they have too much estrogen in their environments from pollutants and fertilizers and that sort of thing. Even plastics contain estrogen. What do you think that does for babies to be in plastic disposable diapers for years? No wonder the a seven-year-old girl became the world's youngest mother a few years ago.

I don't get to watch the show. And I was so excited to see that they had their own. I have 11 year old twins, my son is reaching puberty very rapidly. He has more hair under his arms than his father does. My daughter has the underarm hair, pubic hair and even breasts. I have tried to explain to her what is going to happen to her but I don't thing she has listened. I have shown her how to put on the pads, the whole nine yards. I think I want her to well informed because I was not! My mother never told me anything that was going to happen to me. I was 11 and I didn't freak out, I learned in school what it was so it was ok. But when she told everyone else, for example, my older sister(she is 14 yrs my elder and then had 4 girls) My sister looked me in the face and said "Now you have to watch who you sleep with" She was joking (i hope). I just want my daughters experence to be a little more positive than mine was.