[Menarche in relation to infertility and adult height and weight]

In order to clarify relationships between menarcheal age and fertility and fecundity later in life, a questionnaire was mailed to 3743 women, aged 15-44 years, selected at random in the county of Copenhagen; 78% responded. Associations were observed between early menarche and increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and spontaneous abortion. On the other hand, no association was found between age at menarche and irregular bleedings, amenorrhoea, fertility, or fecundity. Early menarche was associated with excess weight, late menarche with underweight. A positive correlation was found between menarcheal age and final body height. It is concluded that menarche was not associated with fertility or fecundity, whereas early menarche was associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and spontaneous abortion. Age at menarche showed associations with height and weight.