How many years does a woman's menstrual cycle typically last?
Nov 09, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
The age at which females experience their first menstruation (menarche) varies from person to person and is influenced by multiple factors, including constitutional predisposition, postnatal nutritional status, and overall health. Generally, menarche occurs around 13 to 14 years of age; however, it may occur as early as 11 years old, or even exceptionally as early as 8 years old. In some cases, it may be delayed until 15 or 16 years of age.
Under normal circumstances, a woman's menstrual cycle typically lasts for 30 to 40 years. Menstruation is a sign of female maturity, characterized by cyclic shedding and bleeding of the uterine lining in response to ovarian cyclical changes, and it represents an important physiological process in women of reproductive age. The details are as follows:
The age at which girls experience their first menstruation (menarche) varies from person to person and is influenced by various factors such as innate physical constitution, postnatal nutritional status, and overall health. Generally, menarche occurs around ages 13 to 14. Some girls may start as early as age 11, while exceptionally early cases occur at age 8. Others may not begin until age 15 or 16.
Menopause is the transitional period during which a woman's ovarian function gradually declines until it ceases completely. The age at menopause also varies among individuals, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause indicates that a woman has entered the climacteric phase. The exact age of menopause is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, ethnicity, and lifestyle. The average age of menopause for Chinese women is approximately 48 years, although some women may experience it earlier, around 44 or 45 years of age, while others may not reach menopause until age 55.
During menstruation, women should pay attention to personal hygiene, keeping the external genital area clean and dry to prevent infection. In terms of diet, they should avoid raw, cold, spicy, or other irritating foods that might exacerbate discomforts such as dysmenorrhea. Maintaining good sleep habits and avoiding late nights and excessive fatigue can help sustain a regular menstrual cycle.
