Why are girls getting their period earlier?

I was 11 years old when I got my first period. I didn’t exactly know what was about to hit, but I was intuitive—something was definitely up. How, you ask? Oh, it wasn’t rocket science. For starters, there was a mysterious new addition to my beloved stack of The Princess Diaries and The Twilight Saga (yes, go ahead and judge me) volumes... a pink book called Just for Girls, which my mom had purchased. It covered all the awkward Bs—breast development, body hair, breakouts, boys, and oh— THE period talk, of course. Then, there was my dermatologist, who— during my routine checkup—told me, “You haven’t started your period, right? You will in a few months. Gear up!” And yet, these not-so-subtle hints could not help me escape the overwhelming feeling of getting my first period. 

It wasn’t exactly a hot topic with my teachers and friends either. I have a twin brother, and almost all of my mom’s friends have sons, so “period talk” was non-existent. Basically, I was in for a solo roller coaster ride when it came to all things menstruation. It didn’t help either that I was an early bird at the “period party”—only a few girls in my class had started theirs, and those who did, their stories were portrayed rather grotesquely. I remember this one instance when a girl got her period at school. Instead of using the moment to educate the class, our teacher thought it was genius to “evacuate” everyone and have us line up in the hallway. All this, while the poor girl sat alone inside and the cleaner mopped up the “evidence.”Naturally, this only sparked our curiosity; a classic case of the Streisand effect. Rumours spread like wildfire—from “is it a massacre?” to “is it a bloodbath?” or “is she dying?” 

Now that I’m older (and hopefully wiser, as are my classmates) and know better—the reason I found myself wandering down memory lane, back to my teens, was because I came across Marcia E Herman Giddens’ groundbreaking research [1] from 1997. Herman-Giddens dived into a massive pool of data that was collected by the Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS)—an American nationwide primary care research network—that tracked over 17,000 girls aged three to 12 from 1992 to 1993 in the US. The data showed that the onset of puberty is occurring earlier than seen in the previous decades. This change could potentially have a big impact on both physical and psychological development as well as mental health. But are prepubescent girls in India facing similar problems? 

It turns out that they are. Mumbai-based obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Priya Deshpandey’s research [2] tackles this exact question, showing a rise in early menarche among Indian girls. Her 2020 study reveals that 34 per cent of Indian girls start showing signs of puberty, like breast development, pubic hair, and periods before they even hit eight. Early menarche, according to the National Institutes of Health, refers to when girls begin their periods before turning ten. It marks the start of reproductive capability and signals the development of secondary sexual characteristics. 

Deshpandey explains that early menarche can lead to a host of psychological struggles—from low self-esteem and depression to social and emotional challenges—all due to early physical changes. Intrigued by this research, I connected with Zoya*, whose nine-year-old daughter recently began menstruating. “I noticed subtle signs in her such as underarm hair and breast development,” Zoya* shares. Over the last seven to eight months, her daughter experienced a noticeable growth spurt, shooting past her peers in height. “I was concerned, so I took her to the doctor, who confirmed she’d be getting her period soon.”

Interestingly, despite these physical changes, Zoya* didn’t observe much of a shift in her daughter’s personality. “She’s always been introverted, so that stayed the same,” she added. But Zoya* took the opportunity to have an honest chat about what periods are and why they happen, making sure her daughter was emotionally ready for the milestone.

As Zoya* shared, her daughter— like many young girls in her class who had got periods early—already had access to information about periods on social media, so the concept wasn’t foreign. But as early menarche seems to become less of an anomaly, what was missing was a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ behind it and the possible side effects that come with it—something which Zoya* was also keen to clarify.

Many young girls—like in the case mentioned above—face what’s called early or precocious puberty. Dr Tanaya Narendra (also known as @dr_cuterus on Instagram) explains this as when a child’s body starts developing secondary sexual traits ahead of schedule. “It’s all about the hormones,” she says, as the body begins releasing signals that jump-start puberty. Although the reasons behind this early onset are still mysterious, the Oxford-trained doctor highlights some likely causes: Small tumours, external influences, and even high-stress levels. 

Dr Yuvraj Jadeja, MD (obstetrics and gynaecology), dives deeper into the science of it. “The causes can be split into central and peripheral,” he explains. Central causes stem from disruptions in the brain like hormonal imbalances, tumours, or genetic issues, while peripheral causes may include ovarian cysts or issues with other organs. But, as Dr Jadeja points out, modern lifestyle choices and environmental toxins—like chemicals in food and water—are playing an outsized role. “You’ve probably heard of microplastic,” he adds. “These endocrine disruptors are wreaking havoc on our hormonal systems, leading to a hyperestrogenic state that’s linked to precocious puberty.” 

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are “very interesting”, notes Dr Narendra. She says that these sneaky chemicals mimic the structure of natural hormones. “The body thinks it’s receiving hormones, but instead these chemicals hijack the system, influencing how our bodies produce them.” Chemicals like BPAs (Bisphenol A) and PFAs (Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane), are particularly notorious for interfering with puberty. She adds a practical tip: “always look for BPA-free labels on items like nail polish and PFA-free labels on period underwear to keep these chemicals at bay.” 

While you might be mindful of what’s in your shopping cart when it comes to lifestyle choices, it’s impossible to ignore how social media—with its irresistible algorithm that keeps us glued to our screens— has become an indispensable part of our lives (go on, check your screen time—it’s probably higher than you’d like). Given the digital age that we are in, it’s rare to find kids without phones. 

And while there’s no solid evidence that social media directly triggers early puberty, Dr Narendra brings up an interesting angle: “Causation versus correlation—it’s always worth exploring,” she says. With the rise of the digital age, poor sleep, and high stress have become everyday companions for many young girls, which may accelerate their emotional and physical maturity. “Bullying and stress are on the rise,” she continues, “and high stress has been linked to earlier puberty.” So while social media itself might not be the culprit, the fast-paced, stressful environment it creates might be a hidden factor. 

Exploring other contributors for early periods, both Dr Narendra and Dr Jadeja point out the impact of nutrition and socio-economic factors. Dr Jadeja highlights how a sedentary lifestyle paired with low-intensity physical activity can mess with menstrual health. “It’s not just early menstruation,” he explains, “but also delayed or irregular cycles, as physical inactivity and obesity can lead to hormonal imbalances.” Obesity, for instance, can trigger a hyperestrogenic state (a medical condition characterised by an excessive amount of oestrogen in the body), with fat cells boosting oestrogen levels, which in turn disrupts the menstrual cycle. 

On the flip side, nutrient deficiencies—often more common in lower socio-economic groups—can lead to puberty issues, worsened by polluted environments where food and air quality are poor. But the conversation takes a fascinating turn when Dr Narendra mentions a unique correlation: “Girls growing up in homes with absent fathers or passive smoking tend to face more hormonal hurdles,” pointing out the deep connection between one’s environment and hormonal health. 
The question that naturally follows is: Does early menstruation mean a longer fertility window? Dr Narendra explains that just because menstruation kicks off early, it doesn’t guarantee longer fertility. “It means they’ll be exposed to hormones for longer, and longer exposure to oestrogen can increase the risk of certain cancers,” she adds. 

Conditions like endometriosis, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer are tied to these “hyperestrogenic states”, but that doesn’t mean earlier menopause or extended fertility. If nutrition is on point and family history is favourable, menopause could still arrive right on time. 

Looking at the broader impacts of early puberty on long-term health, Dr Narendra touches on a delicate but crucial subject. “As kids’ bodies change, they might not grasp what’s happening to them.” There’s an uncomfortable truth about childhood sexual abuse, and it often happens when kids are developing in ways they don’t yet understand—like growing breasts or getting their periods as early as six, seven, or eight years old. The lack of understanding can lead to early sexualisation, which can leave a lasting mark on both mental and physical health. 

To help parents navigate this complex journey, Dr Jadeja says to keep an eye out for signs like breast buds, body hair, a growth spurt, acne, or changes in voice. He also adds that emotional and behavioural shifts, like sudden curiosity or pelvic pain, could mean menstruation is just around the corner. “Keep an ear out for complaints of vaginal infections or the child asking for menstrual products—as these might signal an early start.” 

While researching for this article, I stumbled across something intriguing—advertisements for teen and tween menstrual pads. I clicked on it and found that these “mini” pads—just 7.5 inches long—are marketed as the smallest available, claiming to fit tweens and teens perfectly. But do younger girls truly need special pads for their smaller bodies? 

Sahil Dharia, CEO and founder of Soothe Healthcare, says not really. He points out that there’s no solid data showing that teenage girls with smaller bodies have lighter or heavier periods. “Every girl’s flow is different—some heavy, some light, regardless of age or size.” Dr Narendra agrees, adding that “tween/teen pads” don’t have much of a medical purpose. “It’s not like a training bra,” she quips. But if it helps someone feel more comfortable, then why not? 

Dr Jadeja, however, is more direct, calling this whole thing a “marketing gimmick”. He says these pads are just different sizes, which already exist in the market. “There’s no real difference in marketing or packaging,” he adds, “but we need to remember that these are very young children, especially when we’re talking about precocious puberty.” According to him, for an eight or nine-year-old, “it’s less about the inclusivity labels and more about the environment they’re growing up in.” 

Instead, Dharia, who is also the founder for Paree Sanitary Pads, suggests that period panties might be the next big thing. Designed to resemble regular underwear, these panties offer solid protection while allowing teens to go about their day confidently. Dharia adds that the period panty market is projected to grow by 23 per cent annually between 2021 and 2028.
As more young girls start their periods earlier, busting menstruation myths and ensuring young girls are equipped to handle their health are vital. In fact, many brands like Paree are raising awareness, educating, and empowering schoolgirls across India about proper menstrual hygiene. 

But it’s not just campaigns—Dr Narendra emphasises the importance of open and honest talks at home too. She suggests introducing topics such as sexual development, sex, and birth control in an age-appropriate way to teenagers. 
“Think of it like teaching math,” she says. “You don’t start with calculus. First, you teach arithmetic, then geometry, algebra, and finally calculus. It is the same with these conversations—start simple, and build on it as they grow.” And don’t make it awkward for children! Normalise these discussions, let them ask questions, and create a safe space for them to come to you. That can make all the difference in how they feel about their bodies. 

Dr Jadeja, on the other hand, advises parents of girls experiencing early menstruation to consult a gynaecologist or paediatrician right away, noting that while it may seem like “just early periods”, there could be underlying issues that need attention. “Educate yourself, and start teaching your children about their bodies and reproductive health early on,” he recommends. A fun and accessible way to do this is through comic books or animated stories. For instance, there’s Menstrupedia Comic by Aditi Gupta—a story-based guide that explains menstrual health in an engaging way for all genders.
Approaching the topic through such resources can help children understand the changes they’re going through without stigma, making the transition smoother and more empowering. 

Source 1: Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in office practice: a study from the pediatric research in office settings network

Source 2: Increasing percentage of ‘early menarche’ in Indian adolescent girls and its prevention

*Name has been changed to protect anonymity.

Lead: Illustration by Mandeep Singh

Inside images: Pexels

This article was originally published in Cosmopolitan India's September-October 2024 issue.

Also read: Yes, you can induce your period: a doctor explains how to do it