Research Trends Relating to Prediction of Menarche and its Practical

Abstract

This study was conducted for the purpose of identifying the contents and trends of research in the literature relating to prediction of menarche and its practical application with the aim of providing guidance relating to experiencing menstruation for the first time based on individual growth and development. Searches were conducted using CiNii (1966-2009) and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (1983-2009) using key words consisting of first menstrual period, first menstruation, physique, height and prediction. As a result of analyzing 43 applicable documents, it was determined that the time difference between the maximum increment ages of height and body weight and the time of onset of first menstrual period is useful in predicting the onset of first menstrual period, and a more accurate prediction can be made by also observing the expression of secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, prediction and guidance more closely matching the diversity of individual growth were suggested to be possible by generating patterns from graphs of increases in height and body weight. There were few documents regarding the practical application of guidance relating to experiencing menstruation for the first time using prediction of menarche, and research on practical application of such guidance is desired in the future.