Mean age at menarche in South Asian girls clusters between 12 and 13 yearsFactors Influencing the Age of First Period in Young Women in South Asia

Frontiers in Medicine Published August 5, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Consider that mean menarche age in South Asian girls is 12–13 years, but heterogeneity limits certainty.

This systematic review synthesized evidence from 18 observational studies, drawn from an initial pool of 729 articles, focusing on females aged 8–21 years in South Asia. The primary outcome was age at menarche, and the review examined associations with sociodemographic, nutritional, lifestyle, anthropometric, biological, and environmental factors.

The main finding was that mean age at menarche clustered between 12 and 13 years across the included studies. However, significant heterogeneity across the studies precluded meta-analysis, so the results are presented as a narrative synthesis rather than a pooled effect estimate.

The review did not report effect sizes, confidence intervals, or p-values, and no safety data were reported. The authors noted significant heterogeneity as a key limitation, which limits the strength of conclusions.

For clinicians, this review provides a broad regional estimate of menarche timing in South Asian girls, but the lack of pooled data and heterogeneity mean that individual variation should be expected. The findings underscore the need for more standardized research in this population.

Researchers looked at many studies to see what factors influence the age of first menstruation for young women. They focused on girls between 8 and 21 years old living in South Asia. The goal was to find patterns in how daily life affects physical growth.

Several factors were checked, including nutrition, lifestyle habits, and environmental conditions. These factors help doctors understand why some girls start their periods earlier than others. The study looked at many different pieces of information to get a clear picture of the situation.

Most girls in these studies started their periods between the ages of 12 and 13. Because each study was different, it was hard to combine all the numbers into one single average. However, the data shows a consistent range for most young women in the region.

Understanding these factors can help health workers provide better support for young girls. By looking at nutrition and environment, doctors can better understand the health needs of this specific group. This information helps create better care plans for growing girls.

What this means for you:

Most girls in South Asia start their periods between ages 12 and 13 based on various lifestyle and environmental factors.

Common questions

What is the average age for girls in South Asia to start their periods?

According to a review of 18 studies, the average age at menarche for girls in South Asia is between 12 and 13 years. This means most girls start their periods during this age range, though individual timing can vary.

What factors were studied that might affect the age of first period?

The review looked at sociodemographic, nutritional, lifestyle, anthropometric, biological, and environmental factors. These include things like family background, diet, physical activity, body size, and living conditions. However, because the studies were very different, the findings are not conclusive.

Why couldn't the researchers combine the results of the studies?

The studies were too different from each other in design and measures, which is called significant heterogeneity. This prevented a meta-analysis, so the researchers summarized the findings narratively instead of giving a single combined number.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJul 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundAge at menarche is a dynamic indicator of a female's health trajectories. Despite its relevance, the cohesive synthesis of its multifactorial determinants in South Asia is lacking, limiting the targeted public health strategies. This review examines the sociodemographic, nutritional, lifestyle, anthropometric, biological, and environmental determinants of age at menarche among females aged 8–21 years across South Asia.MethodsA systematic review of observational studies on determinants of age at menarche was conducted. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, articles published between January 2014 and May 2025 were identified from ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Due to significant heterogeneity across the studies, findings were narratively synthesized precluding meta-analysis.ResultsOut of 729 articles, 18 studies from South Asian countries were included. The mean age at menarche clustered between 12 and 13 years across the studies. Menarche

Mean age at menarche in South Asian girls clusters between 12 and 13 yearsFactors Influencing the Age of First Period in Young Women in South Asia

Common questions

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Mean age at menarche in South Asian girls clusters between 12 and 13 yearsFactors Influencing the Age of First Period in Young Women in South Asia

Common questions

Study Details

LSG associated with lower readmission rates than LRYGB in outpatient bariatric surgery settings

Sleeve gastrectomy shows lower readmission rates after bariatric surgery

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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