It is often hypothesized that certain factors relating to reproduction and pregnancy may have an adverse effect on a woman’s future risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease. Findings in previous studies have, however, been mixed, leading to an inconclusive evidence base. The associations between reproductive factors (including age at menarche, age at menopause, reproductive life span, etc.) and the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and microvascular disease are unclear. We will use data from the full UK Biobank cohort and statistical methods to investigate the association of a comprehensive set of female reproductive factors, including age at menarche, age at menopause, maternal age at the first and last live birth, number of live births, and pregnancy complications with incidents of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and microvascular disease. This study is expected to last for 36 months. The findings will provide evidence-based guidance for clinical management of women at high risk for reproductive factors to reduce the occurrence of long-term CVD and may enable female reproductive factors to be used as part of an integrated approach to developing preventive health strategies and thereby improve women’s health.
