ABSTRACT
The specific meaning of menarche varies widely across cultures. In some cultures menarche is celebrated because a girl is moving into womanhood, but in most cultures it is usually a private event, and girls are more often advised about how to cope with practical aspects of menstruation than about how to deal with their feelings. The way in which menarche is experienced may exert an impact on women’s later reproductive health. In this chapter we discuss the main factors that influence how a girl experiences her menarche, such as the sociocultural context in which she lives, the preparation she has received, and her expectations. We also discuss the consequences of reaching menarche earlier than one’s peers.
