Table 2 Menstrual characteristics for adolescent girls 15–18 years living in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan (N = 2737)

Age at menarche

Mean (13.1 ± 1.2)

N = 2737

Normal early (< 12 years old)

Normal (12–14 years old)

Normal late (> 14 and < 17 years old)

Time since menarche

Mean (3.6 ± 1.5)

N = 2737

0–2 years

> 2–4 years

> 4 years

Bleeding duration

Mean (5.3 ± 1.5) N = 2729

Regular (3 to 7 days)

Short period (< 3 days)

Long period (> 7 days)

Bleeding frequency

Mean (28.1 ± 6.2)*

N = 2729

Normal short 21–28 days)

Normal long (29–45 days)

Frequent (< 21 days) days

Infrequent (> 45 days)

Irregular/ do not know

Heaviness of bleeding

(Blood leaks through clothes)

N = 2732

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Mostly/ always