Short pregnancy intervals may accelerate biological aging in women

A scientific review published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that short intervals between pregnancies may accelerate biological aging in women. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham analyzed data from approximately 47 million pregnancies to investigate how intergenésic intervals affect maternal health.

While pregnancy causes significant endocrine, immune, and metabolic changes that temporarily increase biological age—peaking during the third trimester or at childbirth—these changes typically reverse during the postpartum period. However, the study hypothesizes that when pregnancies occur too closely together, the body may not have sufficient time to complete this natural recovery process. This can lead to the progressive accumulation of physical wear and changes associated with biological aging.

Factors such as maternal age, BMI, pre-existing conditions like gestational diabetes, nutritional status, and socioeconomic conditions may also influence the rate of recovery. The World Health Organization currently recommends a minimum of 24 months between a live birth and the next conception to protect the health of both mother and child.