Early Periods May Increase Women's Risk of Gestational Diabetes

We all know the diabetes is a disease, which arises due to the body's inability to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin, the hormone responsible for converting blood sugar into energy, is unable to carry out its function and as such the patient's blood sugar levels spike up causing various health issues. Now there are various factors that can cause diabetes - unhealthy diets, no physical activity, genetics, so on and so forth. Sometimes, women who are not diabetic can show signs of the disease while undergoing pregnancy. This condition is commonly known as gestational diabetes, which is dangerous, with risks of complications. Though experts pinpoint obesity or being overweight as one of the major causes, a recent study states that early periods could also play a role.

• 
• 
  Who Is Rajiv Mehta? Lilavati Hospital Trustee To Speak At NDTV World Summit 2026
• 
  Alain Ebobisse, Africa50 CEO, To Attend NDTV World Summit 2026. All About Him
• 
  Kriti Sanon At NDTV World Summit: A Look At Her Career And Business Ventures
• 
  Ex-CIA Director To Decode 'War In Times Of AI' At NDTV World Summit
• 
  Who Is Vikram Rai, CEO, South Asia GE Aerospace, Set To Attend The NDTV World Summit 2026
• 
  World-Class Chefs, Food And Music: The Fun Side Of NDTV World Summit 2026
• 
  AI, Consciousness And Dharma: Why Ancient Indian Wisdom Matters Now
• 
  NDTV World Summit: What To Expect From PM Modi's Keynote Address
• 
  NDTV World Summit 2026: What To Watch Out For | PM Modi, Jaishankar, AI And Global Power Shifts
• 
  A World Between Orders: What To Expect At NDTV World Summit 2026

The normal age for onset of periods is considered to be 13 and above, However, there are many cases when girls get what is known as 'first periods' as early as 11 years or lesser. According to a research done by University of Queensland, girls who start their first period at age 11 or younger are 50 per cent more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy than those who experienced it at the age of 13.
 
"Early puberty in girls had now been shown to be a significant marker for several adverse health outcomes, including gestational diabetes," said Gita Mishra, professor at University of Queensland.

Gestational diabetes is an increasingly common pregnancy complication and can have long-lasting health consequences for mothers and their children. "Research into this topic is of particular public health importance due to global trends of girls starting their menstrual cycles at a younger age," said Mishra.

The significant association with gestational diabetes risk remained even after researchers took into account body mass index and childhood, reproductive and lifestyle factors.

For the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the team analysed data from more than 4,700 women and found a higher number of women who reported having their first period at a younger age had later developed gestational diabetes.(7 Brilliant Home Remedies for Period Pain)

 

"The finding could mean that health professionals will start asking women when they had their first period to identify those at higher risk of gestational diabnetes," said Danielle Schoenaker, researcher at University of Queensland.

A large number of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy are overweight or obese. Encouraging those who have early puberty to control their weight before pregnancy may help to lower their risk of gestational diabetes, said Schoenaker.

Inputs from IANS.