Editorial
The Decline in the Age of Menarche in the United States: Should We Be Concerned?

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The data are clear so why the continuing controversy?

Although the question surrounding the accuracy of the decline is not discussed by McDowell et al, the title of their paper, “Has the age of menarche changed? …” recognizes the continuing controversy. This controversy has continued in spite of the fact that studies on age of menarche in the United States have documented decreasing ages since first followed in the 1800s [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. None that were representative of the population and that

Does it matter if girls are developing earlier?

The factors that contribute to earlier development now (in contrast to the likely reasons in the first half of the 20th century) are not healthful. In addition, we know earlier puberty is associated with a number of negative psychosocial and health outcomes [26], [27]. The risk for breast cancer is increased with earlier menarche. The timing of menarche may be affected by endocrine disrupters [28], and reproductive problems may result from the effects of some of these agents [29]. Children’s

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