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Many women claim they have neglected their own needs in the process of becoming a mother and that the milestone has caused them to age. But there may be more to that than just self-care issues.

A recent study has ignited discussions about the potential link between pregnancy and accelerated biological aging in women. The study suggests that women who have been pregnant, particularly in their early 20s, exhibit signs of being "biologically older" compared to those who have not experienced pregnancy.

The role of epigenetics in aging

Epigenetics, the study of chemical tags attached to DNA, plays an important role in regulating gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself. These tags, particularly methyl groups, have been associated with various aspects of aging. The researchers in the study have developed "epigenetic clocks" to assess biological age, which reflects physiological state and susceptibility to age-related diseases.

Using six different epigenetic clocks, they analyzed data from over 1,700 young adults in the Philippines, focusing on women who had experienced pregnancy. The results indicated that women with a history of pregnancy displayed accelerated biological aging compared to their counterparts without such a history. Interestingly, the number of pregnancies seemed to correlate with the pace of aging, with each pregnancy associated with approximately 4 to 4.5 months of accelerated aging.

Implications and considerations

While the study highlights a potential correlation between pregnancy and accelerated biological aging, several factors also need consideration. The study's geographical context and demographic characteristics may influence the generalizability of its findings. Additionally, the impact of pregnancy on aging requires further exploration, particularly in diverse populations and across different life stages.

First study author Calen Ryan expressed optimism with tools like epigenetic clocks having the potential to help identify at-risk individuals and design interventions accordingly.