Top in women's health: Age at menarche declining; exercise tied to hot flashes

The average age of menarche has fallen from a mean of 12.5 years to 11.9 years from 1950 to 2005 while the time to reach menstrual cycle regularity increased, according to an analysis published in JAMA Network Open.

Data from the ongoing Apple Women’s Health Study showed that the number of women who reached cycle regularity within 2 years fell from 76.3% to 56% during the study period.

“Early menarche and longer time to regular cycles are associated with higher risk of many adverse health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer,” Zifan Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow with the Apple Women’s Health Study at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told Healio. “To address these health concerns ... we need significantly greater investment in early counseling, education around menstrual health as a vital sign, and individualized health care plans.”

It was the top story in women’s health last week.

In another top story, a study showed that acute increases in physical activity were associated with an increased likelihood of hot flashes during sleep and wake periods.

Read these and more top stories in women’s health below:

Age at menarche falling, with longer time to cycle regularity: Apple Women’s Health Study

Age at menarche has fallen among U.S. women during the past 55 years while time to menstrual cycle regularity has increased, both troubling signs that indicate worsening health outcomes over time, researchers reported. Read more.

Physical activity tied to greater odds of objective, subjective hot flashes

Acute increases in physical activity were associated with greater odds of objective and subjective hot flashes during waking and sleeping periods, according to findings published in Menopause. Read more.

Spanish-speaking women report concerns with over-the-phone interpreters in gynecology

In outpatient gynecologic settings, potential concerns may exist for over-the-phone translation services, especially for older and patients with less education, researchers reported at the ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Higher risk for suicide among women with vs. without premenstrual disorders

All women with vs. without premenstrual disorders had higher risk for suicide, whereas those diagnosed at younger than 25 years had increased all-cause mortality risk, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.

Q&A: Stigma, fear drive spread of menopause misinformation on social media

Health care providers must combat menopause misinformation on social media by providing evidence-based information at visits and on online platforms, according to presenters at the ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting. Read more.