Study Sheds Light on Health Risks Involved with Early Puberty and Childbirth in Women - Video

Women who experience early puberty or give birth at a young age face significantly higher risks of age-related diseases and accelerated biological aging, according to a new study published in eLife. The research, led by scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, found that girls who begin menstruating before age 11 or women who give birth before 21 are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity—and are four times more likely to suffer from severe metabolic disorders later in life.

The study used a large-scale analysis of nearly 200,000 women from the UK Biobank, applying regression models to identify genetic associations between reproductive timing and aging outcomes. “We identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on aging,” said lead author Dr. Yifan Xiang, a postdoctoral fellow at Buck. “Many of these markers are involved in well-known longevity pathways, such as IGF-1, growth hormone, AMPK, and mTOR signaling—key regulators of metabolism and aging.”

The study also offers strong human evidence supporting the theory of antagonistic pleiotropy—the idea that traits beneficial in early life, like early reproduction, can have negative consequences later, including accelerated aging and disease.

The researchers also found that Body Mass Index (BMI) plays a major role in this relationship, with early reproductive events contributing to higher BMI, which in turn elevates the risk of metabolic conditions.

Senior author Dr. Pankaj Kapahi emphasized the public health importance of these findings. Kapahi said these findings should drive more personalized healthcare strategies, especially for women who experienced early reproductive events. “While we cannot change our genetic inheritance, understanding these genetic tradeoffs empowers us to make informed choices about health, lifestyle and medical care,” he concluded, adding that tailored interventions like metabolic screenings and dietary adjustments could improve long-term health outcomes.

Reference: Yifan Xiang, Vineeta Tanwar, Parminder Singh, Lizellen La Follette, Vikram Pratap Narayan, Pankaj Kapahi (2025) Early menarche and childbirth accelerate aging-related outcomes and age-related diseases: Evidence for antagonistic pleiotropy in humans eLife 13:RP102447 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.102447.4