Saed News: Among various reproductive factors such as age at menopause or hormone therapy use, the number of live births shows a stronger association with brain health later in life.
According to SAEDNEWS, results from a new study suggest that women with more children may be less likely to experience stroke and cerebrovascular damage in later years. Researchers believe that women’s reproductive history, especially the number of live births, could be an important indicator for long-term brain and neurological health assessment.
The study analyzed data from 1,882 women participating in one of the oldest health research projects in the United States. This project, which has followed the health of more than 15,000 residents of Massachusetts since 1948, allows researchers to examine the long-term effects of various factors on health.
The average age of the women at the start of the study was 61, and none had a history of stroke. Over 18 years, researchers monitored their health for stroke incidence and signs of cerebrovascular damage observable through MRI scans.
The results showed that women who had three or more children were less likely to suffer from stroke or brain vascular damage compared to those with fewer children. After adjusting for other risk factors, the risk of stroke in this group was about 49% lower.
Researchers suggest that one possible reason for this association is the increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy. During pregnancy, women are exposed to higher levels of natural estrogen, a hormone that may have a protective effect on blood vessels and brain health.
According to Dr. Sudha Seshadri, a neurologist and one of the study’s authors, reproductive factors such as the number of live births may in the future be considered as part of stroke risk assessment in women.
The study also found that among various reproductive factors such as age at menopause or hormone therapy use, the number of live births had the strongest association with later-life brain health.
Researchers hope that a better understanding of these women-specific factors will help improve stroke prevention strategies and allow earlier identification of individuals at higher risk.
However, they emphasize that these findings show only an association and do not mean that childbirth alone prevents stroke. Further research is needed to confirm these results and better understand the underlying mechanisms.
