Modern Determinants of Earlier Menarche and Mental Health: A Translational Review for Clinicians
Abstract
Background: Over the past decades, the global onset of menarche has progressively advanced, driven by complex interactions between metabolic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Beyond its reproductive significance, menarche represents a critical developmental milestone that coincides with increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties. Contemporary determinants such as childhood obesity, early-life adversity, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may accelerate pubertal timing while simultaneously shaping adverse psychological trajectories during adolescence. Objectives: This review aims to provide a translational and clinically oriented synthesis of modern determinants of earlier menarche and their associations with mental health outcomes in girls and adolescents, highlighting implications for early identification, prevention, and integrated clinical care. Methods: We conducted a narrative review mapping a scoping literature search conducted using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and PsycINFO, focusing on literature from the last decade (2016-2026), with emphasis on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and longitudinal cohort studies. Evidence was synthesized across biological, psychosocial, and environmental domains. Results: Accumulating evidence indicates that higher childhood adiposity, psychosocial stress, and EDC exposure are consistently associated with advanced pubertal timing. Earlier menarche correlates with an elevated risk of depressive…
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