A continuous decline in menarcheal age in Denmark

We report a renewed decline in mean menarcheal age in a large Danish sample after a period with a halt in the trend towards earlier age at menarche in many North European countries. In our study based on retrospective data fr om six different samples constituting 42 784 women, we find a continuously declining mean menarcheal age in Denmark among women born in the years 1964 -1973. In a sample of textile workers born in the years 1939-1968 (n = 12 6 05) we find a 1 year higher mean menarcheal age. This indicates that menarc heal age is still delayed in certain groups in Denmark. This leaves the pos sibility that the menarcheal age could fall even further in the future.