Ecologist Sandrine Rousseau advocates for comprehensive sexual education in schools, emphasizing the need for accurate information about puberty, especially as 20% of girls begin menstruating as early as elementary school. Research from the organization Règles élémentaires highlights that 72% of girls menstruate before age 13, urging the introduction of menstrual education in primary education. Factors influencing early menstruation include nutritional changes, environmental disruptors, and regional sunlight exposure, underscoring the complexity of this issue.
Advocating for Comprehensive Sexual Education in Schools
In a recent interview with France Inter, ecologist Sandrine Rousseau made a compelling case for the implementation of thorough sexual education programs within educational institutions. She emphasized the importance of equipping young individuals with accurate information during a critical phase of their development characterized by significant “body changes.”
Rousseau pointed out that “not all parents discuss menstruation with their children,” highlighting the essential role of the National Education system in guiding students through the complexities of puberty. To underscore this urgency, she referenced a striking statistic: 20% of girls reportedly experience their first menstrual period as early as elementary school, at the age of 11 or even younger.
Understanding the Age of First Menstruation
Is the statistic shared by Sandrine Rousseau credible? A quick investigation reveals its source: it was brought to light in 2023 by the organization Règles élémentaires, which is dedicated to combating menstrual poverty and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. To gather recent national data, the organization conducted a survey in April 2023 that included a thousand adolescents aged 11 to 18.
These studies, carried out in collaboration with the polling institute OpinionWay, have provided valuable insights into the age at which young French girls typically begin menstruating. The findings indicated that “72% of girls have their period before the age of 13,” although some may start much earlier. Indeed, the data confirms that 20% of girls begin menstruating while still in elementary school.
In response to the publication of these findings, the organization stated, “For no one to face their first period without prior knowledge, menstrual education must be introduced in primary school.” This sentiment resonates with Sandrine Rousseau, who acknowledges that the average age of first menstruation is noticeably declining, as evidenced by research from Ined.
Historical data illustrates this trend, showing that in 1850, the average age of first menstruation was around 15 years. However, this age has progressively decreased, with current estimates placing it between 12.2 and 12.8 years.
Factors Influencing Early Menstruation
During her interview with France Info, gynecologist Julia Maruani noted that the earlier onset of puberty has frequently been attributed to “nutritional factors.” Over the years, our dietary habits have undergone significant changes, yet the more recent trend of earlier menstruation cannot be solely linked to food consumption. “The influence of environmental factors, particularly endocrine disruptors, cannot be overlooked. While it’s challenging to provide definitive proof, we understand that numerous products can affect puberty,” the specialist explained.
Researchers cited by National Geographic also pointed out that “childhood obesity rates have been climbing since the 1970s.” This aspect warrants careful consideration, as “some studies have established a correlation between obesity and early puberty in girls.” The phenomenon is not limited to one region; it is a “well-documented global occurrence,” according to pediatric professor Lisa Swartz Topor.
Interestingly, additional factors appear to contribute to the early onset of menstruation in young girls. According to Inserm, “young girls living in sunnier regions of France begin their periods three to four months earlier than those in northern areas.” This finding suggests that “exposure to UV radiation may influence the hormonal levels that trigger menstruation.”
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