Intermediate
Technical
IVT
menarche
Pronunciation: men-AR-kee
The first occurrence of menstruation in a female, typically occurring during puberty.
Full Definition
Menarche marks the beginning of a female's reproductive capability and is one of the central events of female puberty. The average age of menarche in developed countries is between 12 and 13 years, though normal range extends from 9 to 16 years. Age of menarche is influenced by genetic, nutritional, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. In obstetric history-taking, age at menarche is routinely documented as it can provide insights into hormonal status and reproductive health.
In Context
- "The patient reported menarche at age 13 with regular 28-day cycles thereafter." — Gynecologic history
- "Early menarche at age 10 was noted in the reproductive history." — Patient assessment
Also known as
first menstruation
Contrasted with
menopause
Don't confuse with
puberty
adrenarche