[Menarche--psychosomatic and psychosocial aspects for the gynaecology (author's transl)]

Does menarche represent such an important event for girls during puberty that it affects the experience of later gynaecological events in women? This was examined quantitatively in 5 series of investigations in 300-500 women. The data were collected by questionnaires and psychometric test methods. Can menarche provide more information to the psychosomatically interested gynaecologist than was previously thought? Early menarche occurred more frequently than expected, not only in younger women examined but also in those with higher school leaving age, higher intelligence and without neurotic personality traits. Women with later menarche attached less importance to sex, were more afraid of labour pains and thought less of labour preparation courses. Late menarche also showed a relation to the menopause insofar as impairment of the feeling of full usefulness and negative effects on sex were feared more frequently than expected. The menarche experience as a rather painful and/or surprising event showed relations to sociologic-pathological data and later gynaecological events. Women with painful menarche experience mostly belonged to the older generation, had a lower education level and rather unstable personality traits. The more painful the experience of menarche, the more frequent were later irregular cycles and menstruation was experienced as very painful. Negative consequences after gynaecological operations were found more frequently than expected. This was shown quantitatively by the example of uterus removal and mastectomy. With painful menarche experience impaired well-being during pregnancy and very painful confinements were reported more often than expected. In women who remembered the menarche as a rather surprising event we found more frequently lower school education, late menarche and no or inadequate sex instruction. The more surprising the experience of menarche was, the more frequent were unstable personality traits and psychosomatic disorders. Women to whom the menarche was not a surprise reported fewer side effects of ovulation inhibitors, experienced less troublesome confinements and were less afraid of uterus removal and the menopause. Where the menarche was very painful as well as a very surprising event the relations to psychologic-sociological data and gynaecological complaints were particularly obvious. Knowledge of the menarche experience thus allows certain predictions as to how future gynaecological events and sex will be experienced and dealt with. This applies especially to the prediction and clarification of so-called psychosomatic complaints in gynaecology.