Girls who start their period before 12 are 10% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke in later life and also face a greater risk of early menopause and pregnancy complications

Girls who menstruate before the age of 12 have a 10 per cent higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke in later life, a new study suggests.

This is compared to women who had been 13 or older when they started their periods.

Those who had them younger also faced an increased chance of having pregnancy complications, an early menopause and a hysterectomy – which are all linked to cardiovascular disease, say the researchers.

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