Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

June 21

Menstration Starting Earlier

Increasingly, more girls are starting their periods at a younger age, some as early as eight or nine. The latest study, from the University of Wisconsin, suggests that this trend may be related to the fact that American girls are heavier at a younger age than ever before, presumably due to lack of exercise and more television watching. This finding adds to the evidence that body weight influences the age when girls start their periods.

Should we be concerned about girls who start their periods so early?

We should be aware of issues, so we can guide our girls. There are some increased health risks—for example, early periods appear to be a risk factor for breast cancer later on. And the related issue, body weight, can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

The other issue, of course, is every parent’s concern—and that’s sexuality. It’s never too early to plan how you’ll talk to your daughter about these changes, so you’ll be ready when the time comes.

Are there any factors that can delay menses?

Yes. Strenuous exercise, low body weight, and stress can delay the initiation of the period. Thus, undernourished girls, such as those with eating disorders, or those who exercise a great deal, may delay the period. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that a girl should see her doctor if she hasn’t started her period by age 16, or by age 13 or 14 if she hasn’t begun to develop breasts or pubic and underarm hair. And parents can help by encouraging their daughters to aim for moderation—in diet and exercise.

RESOURCES:

All About Menstruation
KidsHealth
www.kidshealth.org/teen/bodymind/body/menstruation.html

On the Teen Scene: A Balanced Look at the Menstrual Cycle
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/ots_mens.html

Headaches And Blood Pressure

It’s common knowledge that severe high blood pressure can cause headaches, but headaches generally haven’t been associated with mild or moderate blood pressure—until now. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed seven studies of patients taking a certain blood pressure medicine and those taking placebo. They found that women, people under the age of 50 and those with a diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 100 were most likely to have headaches. The diastolic pressure is the second number in a blood pressure reading. The researchers also found that the group using the blood pressure medicine had fewer headaches than the placebo groups.

The authors conclude that headache may be a sign of elevated blood pressure and should be followed up. If high blood pressure is detected, ideally, it should be treated with a medicine that can reduce the blood pressure and the headache, without unwanted side effects.

RESOURCES:

Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000; 160:1654-1658
archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/current/full/ioi90417.html

June 21
Menstration Starting Earlier
	Increasingly, more girls are starting their periods at a younger age, some as early as eight or nine. The latest study, from the University of Wisconsin, suggests that this trend may be related to the fact that American girls are heavier at a younger age than ever before, presumably due to lack of exercise and more television watching. This finding adds to the evidence that body weight influences the age when girls start their periods.

	Should we be concerned about girls who start their periods so early? We should be aware of issues, so we can guide our girls. There are some increased health risks—for example, early periods appear to be a risk factor for breast cancer later on. And the related issue, body weight, can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease. The other issue, of course, is every parent’s concern—and that’s sexuality. It’s never too early to plan how you’ll talk to your daughter about these changes, so you’ll be ready when the time comes. Are there any factors that can delay menses? Yes. Strenuous exercise, low body weight, and stress can delay the initiation of the period. Thus, undernourished girls, such as those with eating disorders, or those who exercise a great deal, may delay the period. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that a girl should see her doctor if she hasn’t started her period by age 16, or by age 13 or 14 if she hasn’t begun to develop breasts or pubic and underarm hair. And parents can help by encouraging their daughters to aim for moderation—in diet and exercise.
	RESOURCES: All About Menstruation KidsHealth www.kidshealth.org/teen/bodymind/body/menstruation.html On the Teen Scene: A Balanced Look at the Menstrual Cycle U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/ots_mens.html
Headaches And Blood Pressure
	It’s common knowledge that severe high blood pressure can cause headaches, but headaches generally haven’t been associated with mild or moderate blood pressure—until now. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed seven studies of patients taking a certain blood pressure medicine and those taking placebo. They found that women, people under the age of 50 and those with a diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 100 were most likely to have headaches. The diastolic pressure is the second number in a blood pressure reading. The researchers also found that the group using the blood pressure medicine had fewer headaches than the placebo groups. The authors conclude that headache may be a sign of elevated blood pressure and should be followed up. If high blood pressure is detected, ideally, it should be treated with a medicine that can reduce the blood pressure and the headache, without unwanted side effects.
	RESOURCES: Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000; 160:1654-1658 archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/current/full/ioi90417.html