Khaberni - A recent Finnish study showed that the number of children and the timing of pregnancy play an important role in biological aging and the lifespan of a woman. The results confirmed that women who had two to three children tend to live longer, while having more than four children is associated with accelerated aging and a shorter lifespan.
The study also revealed that pregnancies between the ages of 24 and 38 are associated with better aging patterns and a longer lifespan, while unmarried women showed faster aging compared to those with a few children, which may reflect lifestyle or health effects.
The study measured biological aging using "epigenetic clocks" in blood samples from over a thousand participants; enabling the researchers to monitor the gradual deterioration of cells and tissues years before death.
The results showed that women who had a large number of children or never had children show a biological age higher than their chronological age; which increases the risks of early death.
Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "When a lot of energy is invested in reproduction, this amount of energy necessary for maintaining the body is diverted; which may reduce the average expected lifespan."
Study leader Dr. Minna Oulikainen added: "The results are not an individual recommendation, and no woman should change her personal plans regarding childbearing based on them."
