Girls experience a growth spurt around the time they get their first period. This growth spurt is linked to puberty and the effects of estrogen in the body. On average, girls grow 3-5 inches after getting their period, but growth amounts vary from person to person. Most of a girl’s height is reached within 2 years after their first period. However, growth may continue slowly until age 16-18.
What Causes Growth After First Period?
The increase in growth after a girl’s first period is caused by puberty. Puberty causes a rise in growth hormones, like estrogen, that lead to growth spurts. Here are some key points:
– Estrogen levels rise during puberty, leading to rapid growth. Most growth occurs in the year right before and after their first period.
– Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) also rise during puberty, which promotes height growth.
– Changes in the body’s sensitivity to these hormones influence the amount of growth.
– Girls tend to start puberty between ages 8 and 13. Those who start earlier tend to have more growth after menarche.
– Most girls are close to their adult height 2 years after menarche or by age 16.
So in summary, the increase in female sex hormones directly causes the adolescent growth spurt seen in girls after menarche. Growth slows down once puberty is complete.
Average Growth After First Period
On average, most girls grow 3 to 5 inches after getting their first period, but there is a wide range:
– Some girls grow only 1-2 inches after menarche. Their growth spurt occurs mostly beforehand.
– Most girls grow around 3 to 5 inches after their first period.
– Some girls grow 5 to 7 inches or more after menarche. Their peak growth occurs in the 1-2 years after.
According to one study, the average growth after menarche follows this pattern:
| Time After First Period | Average Growth |
| 1 year | 2 inches |
| 2 years | 3.4 inches |
| 3 years | 4 inches |
| 4 years | 4.3 inches |
As you can see, most growth happens within the first 2 years after a girl’s first period. By year 4, growth has slowed significantly. But some late, small amounts of growth can continue until ages 16-18.
Factors Affecting Growth After Menarche
Several factors influence total growth after a girl’s first period, including:
Age at First Period
– Girls who start puberty early tend to have more growth after menarche. This is because more of their growth spurt occurs during puberty.
– Girls who start later have less growth after menarche. Their adolescent growth spurt peaks before their first period.
Genetics
– Genes influence the timing of puberty and height potential.
– Girls may grow to be taller or shorter based on the heights of their biological parents.
Nutrition & Health
– Good nutrition during childhood/puberty promotes optimal bone growth.
– Malnutrition or chronic disease can impair growth. Most catch-up growth happens after these conditions improve.
– Growth may be affected by medical issues or medications that influence hormones and growth factors.
So in addition to hormones, genetics and other health factors change how much growth occurs after menarche. Most girls reach their full adult height between ages 16-18.
Signs that Growth Is Slowing After First Period
As pubertal growth tapers off, there are signs that your growth rate is slowing:
– You are not gaining as much height each year after menarche. Growth has slowed to 1-2 inches per year.
– Your growth plates are closing. A hand x-ray can confirm your bone age vs. chronological age.
– Your period and other pubertal changes have stabilized – your body is no longer going through pubertal development.
– By age 16-18, your growth has reached a steady plateau over the past 6-12 months. Small amounts of growth may continue.
Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about your growth trajectory or think you may have stopped growing earlier than your peers. They can check your growth charts and do tests to see if your growth is on track.
Maximizing Growth Potential After First Period
Here are tips to help support optimal bone growth during and after your adolescent growth spurt:
Eat a Nourishing Diet
– Eat plenty of protein, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.
– Make sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D for bone health.
– Avoid restrictive diets that may limit nutrients for growth.
Get Regular Exercise
– Participate in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise.
– Sports like basketball, gymnastics, tennis and dance promote bone growth.
– Avoid excessive training that stresses the body too much.
Get Enough Sleep
– Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night for adequate rest.
– Sleep supports healthy hormone levels & growth factor release.
Minimize Stress
– Chronic stress and anxiety may negatively impact growth & development.
– Make time for relaxing activities and social connection.
– Seek support if feeling overwhelmed, depressed or having body image issues.
Following a healthy lifestyle provides the best environment for reaching your full height potential after your first period. However, remember that factors like genetics play a big role too!
When to See a Doctor
Consult your pediatrician if:
– You have not started your period by age 15.
– You grew less than 2 inches in the 2 years after menarche.
– Your height is not following the expected growth curve.
– You would like to have your bone age assessed via x-ray.
– You have concerns about your growth, diet or development.
They can check for any underlying issues and ensure you are progressing through puberty as expected. Most girls will continue growing at a normal pace after menarche. But see a doctor if your growth seems abnormal.
Conclusion
On average, most girls grow 3 to 5 inches after starting their period. But the amount of growth varies between individuals based on the timing of puberty and growth potential. Maximum growth typically happens within 2 years after menarche, then slowly tapers off by age 16-18. Providing your body with proper nutrition, exercise, sleep and low stress will help support optimal bone development during this pubertal growth spurt. Pay attention to your own growth patterns and see a doctor if you have any concerns. With the changes that come with puberty, most girls can expect to grow several more inches after getting their first period.