Time intervals between the age at menarche and the onset of sexual activity in Polish women born between 1959 and 2001

Bibliographic Data

ID19458784
AuthorsMagdalena Durda‐masny (0000-0002-5895-9754, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland, corresponding author), Anita Szwed (0000-0001-7516-5019, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland), Zuzanna Litwiniuk (Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland), Grażyna Jarząbek‐bielecka (0000-0003-1385-5641, Division of Developmental Gynecology and Sexology, Department of Perinatology and Gynecology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland), Tomasz Hanć (0000-0002-8888-4140, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland), Zbigniew Czapla (0000-0001-9093-3602, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland), M Kaczmarek (0000-0002-1425-682X, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland)
Year2021
Volume33
Issue1
Pagese23436-e23436
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Human Biology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1042-0533 • E-ISSN: 1520-6300
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajhb.23436
PMID32445509
OpenAlexW3028229517
LanguageEN
References cited12

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess time intervals between the age at menarche (AM) and age at sexual initiation (ASI) in Polish women born before and after the political transformation period in Poland. METHODS: Participants were 518 women born between 1959 and 2001 in Poland. AM and ASI were based on self-report. Three birth cohorts were distinguished based on the year of birth: I (1959-1979), II (1980-1989), III (1990-2001). Three categories of AM were distinguished: early maturing (<12.0 years), average (12.0-13.0 years), and late maturing (≥14.0 years). Temporal intervals between AM and ASI were calculated. RESULTS: Both AM and ASI decreased in subsequent birth cohorts, with the greatest changes observed in the women born after 1989. No significant differences in the time interval between AM and ASI were observed between birth cohorts. However, the time interval between AM and ASI differed by AM category (H = 74.16; P < .001). The longest time period between AM and ASI occurred in early maturing girls (7.13 years) and the shortest in late maturing girls (3.25 years). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the transformation and decline in both AM and ASI, the time interval between these two characteristics remained stable. Significant differences in the time interval were found among women stratified by AM. The time interval between AM and ASI was longer in girls who matured early in comparison to those maturing late or at the average time

Menarche · Demography · Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis

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