Age of first period has decreased slightly in the past two decades

The age of menarche — when girls first get their period — has been decreasing in recent years, according to new CDC data. Early menarche could put girls at a higher risk of developing health problems including breast cancer or even mental health conditions such as depression. The new report reveals that between 2013-2017, the average age of menarche was 11.9, down from 12.1 in 1995. Hispanic women had a higher probability of early menarche than white women, as did those whose mothers had a high school diploma or GED compared to those whose mothers had a bachelor's degree. And consistent with previous reporting, girls who started menstruating at an earlier age were also likelier to start having sex at younger ages.