The Authority has now clarified the matter by deciding to use the term particularized need consistent with its use by the D.C. Circuit in later decisions, such as United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. v. FLRA, 1 F.3d 19 (D.C.
Menarche marks the commencement of the reproductive phase of a woman's life. Records suggest that there was a secular decline in the average age at menarche in developed countries across the 19th and 20th Centuries until the 1950s, with an average age at menarche of 15-17 years reported in the mid-19th Century.
Because long cycles most often occur in the first 3 years postmenarche, the overall trend is toward shorter and more regular cycles with increasing age. By the third year after menarche, 60% to 80% of menstrual cycles are 21 to 34 days long, as is typical of adults.