Background: Possible relationships between menarche and fertility and fecundity later in life have not been fully clarified.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was made in a random sample of 3743 women, aged 15-44 years, in the country of Copenhagen; 78% responded. Telephone interviews were made with a sample of the non-respondents.
Results: Associations were observed between early menarche and increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (odds ratio 2.4 (1.4-4.1)) and spontaneous abortion (OR 3.1 (1.6-5.7)) later in life. On the other hand, no association was found with irregular bleedings or amenorrhoea; nor was a significant relationship established with fertility or fecundity. Late menarche was associated with underweight (OR 3.1 (1.4-6.9)), and early menarche with excess weight (OR 5.0 (2.4-10.6)). A significant positive correlation (R = 0.17) was found between menarcheal age and final body height.
Conclusions: Menarche was not associated with fertility or fecundity. Early menarche was associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and spontaneous abortion. Menarche showed relationships with weight and height.