Pandemic effect: surge in the first menstruation already in the third grade

Between changes that we are inheriting from Covid, there is one that directly concerns the very young, who find themselves having to manage Menses end from the third grade. Two studies, conducted in Italy, confirm this new trend, which it has seen double the cases of precocious puberty compared to the previous year.

The first study was conducted byBambino Gesù Hospital in Rome and reported an increase in cases seeking counseling for precocious puberty (246 patients in 2020 compared to 108 in 2019, an increase of 108%).

In the second study, conducted by Meyer Foundation of Florence, 49 cases of precocious puberty were included, of which a group of new diagnoses (37 girls), while the second group (12 girls) included cases which had already been diagnosed with precocious puberty, but which had accelerated development during lockdown. The data were compared to the cases observed in the previous 5 years (2015-2019) and a highly significant increase in new diagnoses of precocious puberty, but also the rate of progression of puberty (second group of girls).

The reason for this acceleration? Scientists speculate that the trigger for hormone production is due to a sum of factors: weight gain (in particular body mass index or BMI following excessive nutrition and physical inactivity), increased use of technological devices and psychological stress, also correlated with the pandemic and onset of puberty.

“Also psychological factors may have played an important role: anxiety about contracting the disease, fear of the disease itself, social distancing, changes to normal routines, perception of parental fears about financial or other problems may have created a emotional instability and a loss of sense of security – explains the doctor Manuela Farris, gynecologist.

Finally, it was calculated that exposure to technological devices increased during lockdown and this overuse may have led to a change in the temporality of puberty or the time of puberty. Indeed, it is plausible that an increased use of electronic devices leads to one reduction of melatonin levels (linked to pubertal development), which acts as a trigger for the endocrinological changes that lead to the onset of pubertal development at a younger age. It will be necessary to clarify whether this trend is linked to the particular moment of the lockdown and confirmed in studies conducted in other Italian centers ».

But which are the first signals to monitor in girls, to understand if the first menstruation is coming? “The breasts begin to appear, hairs appear and a sudden growth in height is observed – explains Farris – The important thing is not to underestimate the situation and contact your pediatrician immediately or to a childhood gynecologist: he will be the one to understand if we are facing a case of precocious puberty.

In this case, also to prevent the child from experiencing symptoms on a psychological level because she begins to see herself different from her companions, she will be able to show us which way to go, to avoid that the anticipated closure of the cartilages blocks the growth of the body. In some cases you might just be in the presence of one accelerated pubertal development which would result in menstruation around 10-11 years without particular problems ».

In addition to monitoring the situation with the pediatrician, parents can prepare to address the topic by reading the “Handbook of beautiful girls”, written by Ana Ivušic, illustrated by Antonija Bačić and promoted by Intimate, a brand specialized in intimate health, a tool suitable for young girls aged 8 to 12, but also for those who surround them and want to open the discussion on their first menstruation.

This book contains 5 stories of young women who tell their experiences and their psycho-physical changes. It is an interesting learning experience on managing this physical and hormonal change, full of medical information and practical advice to avoid unpleasant situations, with episodes that highlight the importance of friendship, mutual support and environmental sustainability. . It can be found online at the following address: https://www.intimina.com/it/wondergirls.