Age at Menarche and Sexual Debut Among Young Filipino Women

Abstract

There has been a secular decline in age at menarche since the 19th century. Early-maturing women are more likely to have their sexual debut at a younger age, which in turn gives rise to a host of reproductive health and social problems. This study used data from five waves of National Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in the Philippines between 1993 and 2013 to examine the trends and socioeconomic differentials in age at menarche and sexual debut. The changing trend in age at menarche and sexual debut was examined across birth cohorts, and logistic regressions were used to identify the determinants of early sexual debut. In the Philippines, the mean and median ages at menarche declined from 13.2 years and 12.6 years, respectively, among young women born in 1973-1977, to 12.9 years and 12.3 years, respectively, among those born in 1993-1997. The proportion who had their sexual debut by age 20 increased from 41.2% for the 1968-1972 birth cohort to 53.4% for the 1988-1992 birth cohort. Filipino women with low education, from poor families and living in rural areas were more likely to have earlier sexual debut despite attaining menarche at a later age as compared with their higher educated counterparts, and those from wealthier families and urban areas. Logistic regression analysis showed that, besides marital status, women's education and age at menarche were important determinants of early sexual debut. However, ethnicity, place of residence and family wealth had no significant effects on age at menarche. An increasing proportion of young women were found to be having unprotected sexual debut and at a younger age, with health and social ramifications. Hence, apart from increasing the enrolment of girls in schools and discouraging teenage marriage, there is a need for social and health agencies to implement appropriate adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes such as counselling and educational campaigns, as well as support services, to address sexual problems among the youth.

The Effects Of Early Menarche On Sexual And Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review

“…This is supported by an earlier report in South Africa where poor individuals, due to a lack of alternatives to livelihoods, end up engaging in sexual transactions (Ajah et al, 2015) d. Sexual Desire Research conducted by (Glynn et al, 2010) states that the age of sexual desire and age at marriage will increase with age at menarche. For example, among people with early menarche (<14 years of age, 60% were married and only 11% were not sexually active by 17 years of age, compared with 11% who were married and 71% were not sexually active among those with late menarche (ages ≥ 16) This is in line with research by (Tey et al, 2019) which states that sexual debut at the age of 15 in women who have their first menstruation before the age of 12 years is 4.4 times greater than those who have menstruation at the age of 14 years.…”

“…This study was supported by (Tey et al, 2019) who found that only 7.2% of those aged 16-20 years are currently using the contraceptive method 29.6% (13.8% using pills and 1.5 % use condoms). The low contraceptive prevalence in the Philippines is partly due to religious opposition preventing the implementation of stronger programs to promote the use of modern contraceptives.…”

“…In order to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues and in order to substantially reduce teenage pregnancies, there is a need to equip young people with reproductive health knowledge and promote responsible and healthy lifestyles. This study was supported by (Tey et al, 2019) who found that only 7.2% of those aged 16-20 years are currently using the contraceptive method 29.6% (13.8% using pills and 1.5 % use condoms). The low contraceptive prevalence in the Philippines is partly due to religious opposition preventing the implementation of stronger programs to promote the use of modern contraceptives.…”

Correlates and Consequences of Delayed Marriage in Malaysia

“…Increasing age at marriage without a corresponding increase in access to reproductive health services for the unmarried means that more and more young women are exposed to the risk of out-of-wedlock/unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and STIs, including HIV (Baumgartner et al, 2010;Downing and Bellis, 2009;Glynn et al, 2010;Tey et al, 2019;Whatley et al, 1989). The Malaysian family planning programme does not provide contraceptive services to the unmarried, and this may have caused a rise in unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortion among an increasing number of unmarried but sexually active young people.…”