The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Committee of Adolescent Health Care has issued a committee opinion on Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign, encouraging clinicians to educate girls and their caretakers about what to expect of a first menstrual period. Conclusions and recommendations include:

• Clinicians should educate girls and their caretakers (eg, parents or guardians) about what to expect of a first menstrual period and the range for normal cycle length of subsequent menses.

• Once girls begin menstruating, clinicians should ask at every preventive care or comprehensive visit for the patient’s first day of her last menstrual period and pattern of menses.

• Identification of abnormal menstrual patterns in adolescence may improve early identification of potential health concerns for adulthood.

• It is important for clinicians to have an understanding of the menstrual patterns of adolescent girls, the ability to differentiate between normal and abnormal menstruation, and the skill to know how to evaluate the adolescent girl patient.

Citation: Menstruation in girls and adolescents: using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Committee Opinion No. 651. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126:e143-6.