Hormones and Girls Starting Periods at Young Ages

When a girl starts her period is determined by her body weight ratio.
They are starting "sooner" because in general people are fatter than they were 20 yrs ago.

People are not starting earlier 'these days". My grandma started when she was 9 and she's 75. We just have more people on this earth now and lots of world wide information because of the internet. We know way more now.

Please don't go by what the "majority" say, and continue to do more research! Excessive hormones in our foods and products do affect humans negatively. For example the growth hormone rBGH found in milk was introduced to our dairy cattle ONLY in 1994, by 1999 Europe banned it because it is NOT safe. "The U.N.’s main food safety body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, determined in 1999 that rBGH could not be declared safe for human health (59)." From 1994 to the current U.S partial ban, there has been an increase of hormonal problems in young girls, boys and adults. You can now find milk free of the rBGH hormone, and this is not a marketing scheme (how ignorant of people to say). Unfortunately this is only part of the battle with keeping our children and ourselves healthy. Since the 1950's our population has been exposed and continue to be exposed to more hormones, chemicals and pesticides than any population in history (it didn't exist before) we are guinea pigs for the sake of political and economical power. I am 41 and have Thyroid disease that the Dr's say is a very common disease. Well, yes, unfortunately it IS common now. My advice; Eat organic and local, use all natural products for your body and the home, and do research, lots of it. Knowledge is power. BTW, soy is fine a couple of times a week, the non-GMO version ( GMO? a whole other story!).
You are a great mother to want to care for your daughter the best you can. Remember, you are the only one who can. Good luck, you are heading in the right direction!

Too much estrogen and estrogenic compounds are what causes early periods.
One bigtime culprit is SOY. It is in almost every manufactured food now. Any item in the ingredient list that has the word soy in it, soy isolate, soy casientate, soy extract, soy protien, textured vegetable protien, tofu, soybeal oil, soymilk, soya sauce.

Corn can get fungus when it is in the silos, and that fungus releases a toxin that mimics estrogen. Pigs that are fed moldy corn will abort and also not lactate. There is a certain percentage of fungal spores that make it into food mfg'ing. Corn is used in high qty just like soy (and has many names- look them up online)- and dont forget is even in high fructose corn syrup.

Pesticides are estrogenic.Plastics are also. Watch for any lotions that have PARABEN listed- that is estrogenic. many cemicals used - like washing detergents. Chlorine is estrogenic- and it is put in tap water. Get a filter, for the shower also. Watch for summer swimming pools.

Taking iodine can help normalize the thyroid- and guard it from pesticides and metals, and regulate periods and hormones. a certain number of drops of Lugol's iodine in a glass of water. Look up iodine for thyroid on line.

The reason you hear conflicting info on soy for women is that estrogen drops when a woman goes through menopause. That is when there might be some discomfort and hotflashes, etc. Researchers have found that giving estrogen mimicers can help with those "symptoms". BUT, Women should not be trying to replace estrogen when God clearly meant for us to go through menopause and stop menstruating. uncomfortable menopause is due to deficiencies in other areas. Correct iodine levels will avoid many menopause symptoms.

Do not be fooled. Estrogen is NOT a great thing to be taking/eating/ingesting. There is way too much of this in our food, water, and everything else. Not to mention that estrogens are in the water due to women who take birth control - their drugs from their urine does get cirulated back into the water system.

Estrogen is what causes cancer. Breast cancer drugs block estrogen!!!

Worry more about her fat intake than hormones in meat and dairy. Women with low body fat (think gymnasts) usually do not menstruate.

It has more to do with gene's than health. I was only 8 when I started and I dealt with it fine, younger girls aren't as responsible about it and may have more "accidents". My daughter is nine and a half and she hasn't started, but my husband wasn't as early a bloomer. It's more about heredity than health.

For one, don't go to McDonalds and other fast food joints. I hear that their foods are LOADED with hormones. I didn't read all other posts, but saw one post about eating wild game. That's great idea, as the wild deer aren't injected with hormones. Perhaps wild game isn't your thing -- research buying meat from a local rancher in your area. Ask about if they(the cows, chickens) are injected with or fed hormones. It might be pricier, but you'll get a better quality and hormone-free food.

I scrolled down just now to see other posts. I am VERY surprised that many say it's got nothing to do with the food we eat and hormones we ingest.

SOY is a hormone (estrogen). There are TONS of websites out there about the hormones in soy. Google it. Here's one link that scared the heck outta me: http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm LOTS Of our food has soy in it (lots of fast-food burgers, tofu, soy milk, edamame peas, baby formula, etc etc etc). Even the coffee creamer I am using right now has soy in it. So if I were you, I'd watch out for how much of that goes into your body (your daughters body) too. FLAXSEED is great for you apparenty, but also has hormones in them (naturally I think), so you just have to read a lot of labels and inform yourself.

This same question was asked on July 6th by mamasal.. Check out the answers she received..

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/624859901344219137

ask your dr..

but eat a healthy diet.. have all members of the family eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight..

girls start puberty at about 80 pounds nad have a period at abotu 100 pounds..

people say it's the hormones in milk, which is bunk, because the same thing (early periods) is happening in Europe and they arent allowed to use the hormones on the cows there.

There are a lot of hormones put into our food. This is one of the biggest reason my daughter became a vegetarian. Unfortunately, we can not do much about the way out daughter's develop. My family tries to eat a lot of wild game. I notice a difference in our digestion. I would just do a lot of research on hormones. I think whatever happens it is important to keep her healthy with a nutritious diet and good exercise.

I don't know for sure about what hormones in foods can cause early development or if it has actually even been proven for sure but I know I started my period at age 11 and I was a thin, healthy girl and my mom stayed at home and always cooked so I never really ate fast food. I think it's also genetics. all my sisters started on the younger side. One at 10 and the other at 12. I think as long as you try to cook a lot of meals at home and give her fresh fruits and veggies she will be fine. She could start young or be more like you.

When we were little i knew of a few girls who started around 10. I think some girls just start early and others very late. My daughter is a huge milk drinker and she started and 12. My other daughter will be 15 in december and still has not gotten hers. I really believe it is when the child's body is ready.

I started my period at age 8. I also developed breasts very young as well (fully developedby the time I hit 7th grade). I honestly don't believe me starting young was a cause of hormones in our foods, most of the women in my family (on both sides) developed early. I honestly think trying to stop her body from doing what it wants to do is unnatural. You also never know when a girl might start, who knows, your daughter might be a "late bloomer." Good Luck.

Mariel Hemmingway has written a couple of great books about healthy living that were very informative. She also has a weekly webshow about natural living that you can access for free on www.hayhouseradio.com. There are also some really great articles that you can read on the subject in the Living section of the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com). Definitely do your research and try to take a moderate approach to healthy living. Do the best you can for you and your family but don't allow it to drive you crazy.

Blessings.

I don't think there is anything you can do to prevent it. I was 11 when I got mine and I will be 30 in just a few months. I really don't think that times have changed all that much for it to change when girls get their period

I really don't buy into the hormone stuff. I think it is a marketing ploy to scare moms/dads into buying products that are more expensive.

I'm all for buying quality and I'll pay more for quality but I just don't support the industry using fear to make more profits.

That said, my daughter is 15 1/2, she started her cycle at 12. She has always been a very active and had a healthy diet. She'll choose fruit and veggies anyday over fast food, etc. Of course, occasionally we'll get fast food but ts not the norm here.

Some younger girls are starting early. Those I know of (her friends) were overweight and not active.

When her body is ready it will begin. Just be there to support her and have those lines of communication wide open. My daughter knows she can ask me anything, not be judged and I will always have her back.

I actually was just talking to my mom about this the other day--she knew girls when she was 10 years old who had started their periods like her, so it seems to me that there has always been a wide age range for it but nobody really talked about it then. Now we have the internet so that kind of information is more far-spread. I'm 23 and started menstruating at 10 years old, but knew hardly any other girls who started until they were older. I've never been overweight either (well...except once baby weight came around haha!)

I don't think you can do anything about how her body is going to develop except to encourage to take good care of herself at whatever stage she is in. I looked more like a late teenager when I was 12 and 13 (confusing for older guys who were not always rude but really thought I was more like 17 or so) and started my period right around 11/12 years old. I think most of the girls in my class started a year later, so that was a bit awkward, but you deal with it. I had body hair young and dealt with that, too. I was the tallest in my class so had a higher body weight and a larger chest, but was still very healthy. Not a whole lot you can do about someone's body type, but again, just encourage her to stay healthy.

There is a great book to read - actually many books but read the book Mad Cowboy...it exposes all the nasty stuff in our meat supply. Definitely get your daughter on all organic meat, milk, butter (any dairy)...you will see results in weeks!!!! I am in Arbonne and I consider myself an expert on this because I have read so much about hormones. Definitely stay away from soy too...it messes with your hormones as well. If you have any further questions you can email me direct at ____@____.com.
I can give you a ton of books to read on the subject :)

I also read an article (I can't find it now) that said womens' breast size is increasing. That the average breast size use to be B cup and now it is D cup. The point of the article was that the American Pediatric Assoc. was debating about changing the average breast size to D cup.

Make absolutely sure that you NEVER buy milk or meat from conventionally grown cows. Growth hormones cause early periods, cancer, and gender confusion in boys. I grew up in a country where that is not legal, and we don't have those issues.

Just seeing this and agree organic foods will help.
Wanted to point out the cause of physical growth regarding height and size may be generational or could be related to the hormones in meat as many hormones are given to animals to increase their growth for market. We do not eat meat at every meal as so many people do these days. You can stick to organic or decrease daily meat servings.

As for earlier onset of puberty! That is certainly related to milk. Cows are given hormones to make them "supercows.". Ask about this in the dairy industry or research it but essentially the cows are injected with hormones to increase mammory gland size, stimulate production and therefore more milk volume is made with less head of cattle to care and maintain. In turn this is casusing boys and girls to develop breast and girls to menstrate sooner. You can use soy or just buy organic milk. I live in Louisiana where Klienpeters sells safe milk bc they do not use hormones in thier cows. When out of town we buy organic.

It cost just a tid bit more but I don't want my girls starting their cycle sooner as in the long run it means they will finish thier cycle earlier in life and begin menopause at a younger age. The concern for me is that women are trying to hav kids later in life due to college and careers. Enough of the thirty somethings I know are having difficulty and some require intervention other than the try and wait.
with that said I do t want my daughters my daughters to be premenopausal when they are ready for children. Starting your cycle earlier in my opinion is not good at all.

To me being healthy is eating organic. You can a little more money and buy grass fed beef (no additives or growth hormones) at a farmer's market. Try raising your own veggies in your backyard or next to your house in your flowerbed. At least you know they aren't sprayed with chemicals. Many farmer's markets have really good produce. I personally know a few farmers that sell at the Deerfield Farmer's Mkt near Landen on Montgomery Road. I am sure most of the farmers are honest when you ask them about their produce. Good luck....You are not just helping your daughter, but the entire family not getting ill.

Just saw this now and want to echo the advice about organic food, especially dairy. I started hearing about this when my daughter was about 6 or 7 and switched to organic milk, and as much hormone-free meat and dairy as I could. I truly believe it made a difference for her. Some places/brands have milk that is hormone free and same or near the price of regular milk - even this is a lot better and will be easier on your budget (try Whole Foods if you have one - they have milk and cream cheese and yogurt (maybe others) that are hormone free and comparably priced to regular. Good for you for investigating this - your daughter will benefit!!!

Lot's of great information shared here about eating organic, however, there's another sources of contamination that are wreaking havoc on our children's hormones and they are Xenestrogens. Xenoestrogens are man-made chemicals that are found in personal care products, cleaning products, cosmetics and yes, even baby care products. Johnson & Johnson is under a lawsuit right now for cancer causing ingredients in their baby shampoo. Go ahead and Google it. Shocking uh! When you have a moment check out
http://www.menoqueen.com then click on the Planet in Peril tab, which will take you to a video with Anderson Cooper/CNN Anchorman.

I have heard of many girls starting their periods younger than we did. I have some friends who are elementary school teachers (one is 5th grade) and they do keep supplies in their classrooms as they have had girls who needed them. I know my pediatrician told me once that girls (and boys) are growing faster than we did. They are taller than we were at younger ages, therefore they weigh more and their bodies think they are closer to an adult weight sooner so they start their periods at younger ages. I'm not sure why they are growing faster; that may be where the hormones, etc. in the food comes in. I do know that there are some girls at my daughter's elementary school who are about as tall as me and it is sometimes hard to tell the students from the teachers at my daughter's middle school because they are about the same size. I don't remember so much of that when we were young until we hit high school. Maybe ask your pediatrician and he/she can point you in the right direction to start researching - I'm sure there is lots of information to sift through. The pediatrician should also be able to let you know what to watch for (the start of breast development, etc.) so you can start to prepare your daughter so the period won't be such a shock when it arrives. Good Luck! They definitely grow up too fast!

It varies by the individual - I was one of the first two girls in my class, 22 years ago, and I started at 10 - my mom didn't believe me, since she didn't have hers till she was almost 18! I was average weight and in athletics, and didn't drink much milk ( maybe a cup a day) and we didn't eat lots of Beef either. Lots of things can affect it, including heredity, if the girls are overweight, they will start earlier, and more athletic/muscular girls will generally start later, fat cells store estrogen. My niece started at 10, too, however, so did her mother and her aunt. My periods and my SILs and niece as well, have always been very heavy, and had bad cramps - I don't know if that is related to starting earlier or not?

I think alot of the panic over hormones in meat and milk might be blow out of porportion - just like every time there is some new thing discovered about our food or dieting, etc. it becomes a BIG DEAL for a while and then fades into the background. BUT I DO think it is very important to have as healthy a diet as possible, we grow alot of our own veggies in our garden, and try to buy organic when it is affordable, and buy from local farmers, too. Myself and my kids are not big dairy consumers, we just don't like milk much, and we rarely eat beef, since my DH is a deer hunter, and it is much healthier. So I think that will help some, but since my daughter has early starters as mom and both aunts, she may be "doomed" to start early anyway.

Just try to give your daughter a balanced diet and as fresh and healthy as possible, keep her helathy and active, and nature will take its course in its own time.

Jessie

Just an fyi, my PMS gets wayyyy worse when I drink cow's milk. I get super emotional. The only milk I really drink is in my latte in the morning. Even when I switched to soy in my latte, but started using milk in my oatmeal I was affected. I use soy in my lattes now and water for my oatmeal, and I don't have any noticeable PMS anymore. I don't know if it is actually affected by the estrogen in the cow's milk, but it's definitely affected by something. I just thought I'd throw my two cents in. My kids all drink soy milk, and love it. Good luck. There is so much contradictory information out there. It really is tough to know the best thing for our kids.