Can Pregnancy Cause Women To Age Faster? This Is What Scientists Found

It has been found that women who have been pregnant 'at least once' are biologically older than those who have never been pregnant. Interestingly, the data also suggested biological age 'increased by three per cent more' per year in those who have been pregnant.

Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman's body. Besides weight gain, it can lead to skin and hair issues. But can pregnancy accelerate the process of ageing? Scientists say that being pregnant can apparently make you age faster by accelerating your biological age. In a previous article, we had discussed accelerated ageing means your body begins to age faster and you look and feel older. It means wear-and-tear in the body that is a result of lifestyle, genetics and added stress, which causes your biological age -- not chronological -- to increase.

What Scientists Found

Now, citing a new study published in February this year, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, an Independent report mentioned that scientists have found women who have already experienced just one pregnancy are 'more likely to exhibit signs of accelerated biological ageing', as opposed to those who have not been pregnant at all.

Associate research scientist Calen Ryan -- who has been studying the long-term effects of pregnancy at the Columbia University Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health -- was quoted as telling Time that pregnancy can lead to an 'increase in health risks'. "We're learning that pregnancy has long-term effects on the body. They are not all bad, but it seems to increase the risk of some diseases and all-cause mortality."

Changes In The Body During Pregnancy

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, many changes take place in the woman's body during the three trimesters of pregnancy, such as their breasts becoming larger, more tender; nipples sticking out; heartburn or indigestion; abdomen stretches; brown patches called 'mask of pregnancy' on the face; swelling of feet; shortness of breath; pressure on the bladder; navel sticking out, etc.

ALSO READ: Symptoms, Diet, Exercise: What To Expect In The First Month Of Pregnancy?

Greater Physical Toll During Pregnancy

According to the Independent report, Ryan and his team theorised the 'acceleration' in biological ageing occurs primarily because of the 'great physical toll' pregnancy can take on the body. "The idea is that the body performs certain functions, but is always constrained about optimising any one of those functions, and it creates a trade-off. So, energy going toward reproductive function may draw away from maintenance of the body," he was quoted as saying.

How The Study Was Conducted

The team of scientists reportedly obtained data through the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey and analysed the blood samples from 1,700 people from the Philippines, between the ages 20 and 22 years, when the study began in 2005. Participants were also asked questions about their 'reproductive and sexual history', and 'number of pregnancies'. The survey also accounted for pollution and socioeconomic factors, which could affect ageing. The team of scientists also 'contrasted the results' with data collected from a smaller pool of female participants between the years of 2009 and 2014.

ALSO READ: What To Expect In The Second Trimester Of Pregnancy? Symptoms, Diet, Exercise, And More

The Findings

It was concluded that women who had been pregnant 'at least once' were biologically older than those who had never been pregnant. Interestingly, the data also suggested biological age 'increased by three per cent more' per year in those who have been pregnant; those with more than one pregnancy were said to age 'up to five months faster'.