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Adolescent HealthOnset of puberty and menstruationThere is a wide range of normal in the onset of puberty and menstruation. The average range for the onset of breast budding (or early breast development) is from age eight to thirteen years. The development of pubic hair follows several months later and the first period (or menarche) usually occurs between age ten and sixteen-and-half years. The average time for the first ovulation is about ten months after the first period.While these are general age ranges, it is somewhat common to have puberty begin earlier or later than average. Many factors effect when a girl will begin puberty including heredity, ethnicity, body type, nutrition, life style, and environmental toxins. For example, girls whose mothers started menstruation early have a greater chance that they, too, will start early. African American girls enter puberty, on average, one-and-half years earlier and have their first period eight-and-half months earlier than Caucasian girls. Some studies indicate that Mexican American girls enter puberty a few months later than average, though this finding is not as conclusive. Taller or larger girls usually start at the early end of the average. A well rounded, nutritious diet can cause young, healthy bodies to develop earlier, though still within the average range. Some studies indicate that environmental toxins can slow development and thus slow the onset of puberty. Lack of adequate nutrition can also have an adverse effect.
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