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Early Periods Linked To Asthma In Girls
Girls who have their first menstrual period before age 10 are also more likely to develop asthma, a study shows.
The European study of over 3,000 women found a strong link between early menarche and asthma or lung problems. Researchers said the connection goes back to birth, noting that many girls who mature early were born at a low birth weight.
They also found ties between early menarche and an increased likelihood that a woman will smoke. Which, given their possibly weaker lung capacity, seems like an extra bad idea.
The findings were part of a multi-center study called the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. They found women in Southern Europe more commonly reach menarche early and have more asthma and lung issues.
The research team believes this means there is a hormonal aspect to respiratory problems. Women who experienced early menarche were also more likely to be overweight as adults, in spite of the fact that many of them had low birth weights.
There are so many co-factors here, it’s hard to tell if the connections are really causal or simply all expressions of another issue. It’s one more thing for us to keep an eye on as parents, though.
Photo: Dottie Mae
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