>Pat Young <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re:
>
> From A & P (anatomy and physiology- too many years ago to remember in a
>happy way) I learned that most girls begin to menstruate at approximately
>the same age as their mothers.  I find this to be usually true in practice.
>Precocious puberty (very early) is another whole story.  And PCOS and
>metabolic syndrome are affecting very obese young women. :-(
>
>I goggled age of first menstruation and got an interesting web site
>www.mum.org/menarage.htm
>Bet you didn't know there was a museum of menstruation!

And, as of September 1, there's now a magazine based on the menstrual 
cycle: Four Weeks <http://www.fourweeksmag.com/toc.htm>!

In a lame attempt to rein this in from being wildly OT though, I'll mention 
an excellent review article from a few years ago: Anne-Simone Parent et al. 
2003. The timing of normal puberty and the age limits of sexual precocity: 
Variations around the world, secular trends, and changes after migration. 
Endocrine Reviews 24(5):668-693.

On a quick skim of the article, I didn't see anything about breastfeeding 
although there is a brief mention about the protein source of food in early 
life influencing the timing of puberty; high animal vs. vegetable protein 
ratio at 3-5 is associated with early menarche.

I'm supposed to be reading about fertility (as affected by environmental 
exposures) right now, though, so back to work!

regards,
Julia

Julia R. Barrett
Freelance Science Writer & Editor
Mom to Sean (6) and Kira (3)
Madison, Wisconsin

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