The revelation that S.S.’s eight-and-a-half-year-old daughter, M.S., had started menstruating came as a shock. With no familial history of early menstruation, S.S. found herself grappling with her daughter’s unexpected transition into puberty. Recounting the ordeal, she described the distressing experience of her daughter’s heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, a challenge that many parents are now confronting as an increasing number of young girls in the UAE are experiencing early onset menstruation.
Dr. Amal Abdelaziz, consultant and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Thumbay University Hospital, highlighted the global variation in the onset of puberty, noting that while girls typically begin menstruating between the ages of 10 to 12, cases as young as eight are becoming more prevalent. Factors such as socio-economic status, obesity, nutritional health, and overall well-being are believed to influence this trend.
Echoing these concerns, Dr. Charles Nagy, consultant obstetrician & gynecologist at Medcare Women & Children Hospital, emphasized the importance of proactive parental guidance in preparing children for puberty. Advocating for open dialogue from an early age, Dr. Nagy stressed the significance of discussing menstruation before physical changes manifest, allowing children to comprehend and adjust to the transition effectively.
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S.S., having initiated conversations about menstruation with her daughter at a young age, emphasized the value of mental preparedness in navigating the onset of menstruation. Despite the initial challenges, her proactive approach contributed to her daughter’s ability to cope with the physical and emotional aspects of menstruation.
However, for some girls, early menstruation may necessitate medical intervention, particularly in cases of precocious puberty occurring before the age of eight. Dr. Abdelaziz underscored the importance of timely medical assessment to address complications and ensure normal growth and development. S.S., having witnessed her daughter’s struggle with prolonged and intense menstrual bleeding, sought medical assistance to alleviate her daughter’s distress.
Now, at the age of 11, M.S.’s menstrual cycles have stabilized, offering relief to both mother and daughter. Dr. Abdelaziz emphasized the significance of medical evaluation for symptoms such as intense pain, heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and recurring infections, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive assessment to safeguard the health and well-being of young girls experiencing early onset menstruation.
As concerns mount over the rising prevalence of early menstruation among young girls in the UAE, proactive parental engagement, coupled with timely medical intervention, emerges as critical strategies in addressing the physical and emotional challenges associated with this developmental milestone.
