UNAIR NEWS – Marriage is a start of a life-long journey. The government has regulated marriage in Law No. 16 of 2019 Article 7, which states that the marriageable age for females and males is 19 years old.

The government regulation has specific reasons, including women’s reproductive health. Dr. dr Ernawati SpOG (K) explained that the woman’s reproductive organs begin to develop at nine years old.

“Women’s reproductive organs start to develop at nine years old. When they were born, the reproductive organs are not developing yet. It develops again when they get the first period,” she said.

When women experience the first period, secondary sex characteristics start to develop. For instance, enlarged breasts, rounded hips, and growth of body hair underarm and pubic hair.

“Women get their first period between 9-16 years old, that’s when the reproductive organs begin to develop,” said the Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR).

The first period marks the regular cycle of ovulation. However, there are chances that the phase may be irregular. “The physiological mechanism of menstruation, especially the irregular response between the brain, ovaries, and uterus, causes ovulation disorders to occur,” she said.

Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary to be fertilized, while ovaries are organs that produce eggs. The uterus is another name for the womb.

Women’s reproductive function reaches its best developmental phase when they are 19 to 20 years old. “Female reproductive function has reached its optimum stage at the age of 19 to 20 years old,” Dr. Ernawati said. “The regulations state that the minimum age for marriage is 19 years, considering the maturity of their reproductive and psychological functions. Under 19 years old, their mindset and psyche are still immature,” she added.

She emphasized that physical and psychological readiness are essential requirements of marriage. Those associated with the pregnancy stage. “The ability to maintain her pregnancy and healthy pregnancy need physical and psychological preparedness,” said the Fetomaternal Division of SMF Obstetrics and Gynecology lecturer at Dr. Soetomo Regional Hospital Surabaya. (*)

Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita

Editor: Binti Q Masruroh