Ozempic Babies: What To Know About Semaglutide And Pregnancy | Does It Make You More Likely To Conceive

When it comes to weight management, Ozempic, a GLP-1 medication formulated with semaglutide, has become a prominent treatment option for individuals struggling with obesity or being overweight with a weight-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure (1). This GLP-1 receptor agonist is known for its efficacy in promoting significant weight loss and improving cardiovascular health (1,2). Recently, there have been anecdotal reports of women becoming unexpectedly pregnant while on Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. The term “Ozempic babies” began to circulate in the media and became an increasingly well-known side effect. Now, users are wondering how significant is Ozempic’s impact on fertility and whether they have an increased likelihood of becoming pregnant while taking the medication. Let's delve into the findings to understand Ozempic and its effect on fertility better.

Understanding Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a once-weekly injectable medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate appetite and food intake (3,4). It has been shown to result in substantial weight loss, making it a popular choice for those looking to manage their weight effectively.

Clinical Findings On Semaglutide For Weight Loss

One significant clinical trial involving 1961 participants demonstrated a mean weight loss of 14.9% among those treated with semaglutide (the main ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) compared to a placebo group (1).  The study also found improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors and physical functioning. However, it's crucial to address another critical question: Do these GLP-1 medications affect fertility, specifically the chances of getting pregnant?

The Connection Between Semaglutide and Pregnancy

There is limited direct research on the relationship between semaglutide and fertility. Most available data focuses on weight loss outcomes and general health improvements. However, some key observations can be noted:

• Hormonal Balance: Weight loss through semaglutide may help restore hormonal balance, improving conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often affects fertility (5,6).
• Ovulation: Achieving a healthier weight can lead to more regular ovulation cycles, enhancing the likelihood of conception for those not on birth control (5,6).

Findings on GLP-1 Medications and Pregnancy

The Connection Between Weight Loss and Fertility

Outside of the context of medication-based weight loss, there is an established connection between weight loss and fertility, especially in individuals with obesity. Excess weight is often linked to hormonal imbalances that can hinder ovulation and reduce the chances of conception. By helping individuals achieve significant weight loss, semaglutide may indirectly improve fertility prospects. However, it's essential to understand that the medication itself does not directly enhance fertility.

Do GLP-1 Medications Increase the Likelihood Of Pregnancy?

• A real-world study indicated that 86% of participants treated with semaglutide lost at least 5% of their body weight (1). Significant weight loss is often associated with improved fertility outcomes due to improvements in hormonal function (7).
• The FDA warns the GLP-1 medication Mounjaro may render your birth control ineffective. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro or after each dose increase (8). The other GLP-1 medications do not have FDA warnings regarding interactions with birth control.

Risks For Those Who Could Become Pregnant While On Semaglutide 

While weight loss benefits can positively influence fertility, there are some potential concerns to be aware of:

• Gastrointestinal Side Effects: The most common side effects of semaglutide (and all GLP-1 medications used for weight loss) include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset (1,2).  These could affect nutritional intake and overall health, both of which are essential for a healthy pregnancy.
• Unknown Effects on the Fetus: The FDA advises discontinuing Ozempic at least 2 months before any planned pregnancy due to the potential to lead to major birth defects or miscarriage, as demonstrated in various animal studies (2). While Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications may improve your fertility, it’s essential to keep these risks in mind so you can safely stop the medication before planned conception, if possible.

Key Takeaways On Taking Semaglutide For Weight Loss

While semaglutide does not directly enhance fertility, its significant weight loss benefits can indirectly improve fertility prospects by restoring hormonal balance and promoting regular ovulation. What’s more, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications can interfere with birth control and make it ineffective, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy. As with any medication, it is crucial to consult healthcare providers before starting treatment, especially for those planning to conceive.

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Sources:

1. Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., Kushner, R. F., & STEP 1 Study Group (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England journal of medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
2. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, revised 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209637s003lbl.pdf
3. Blundell, J., Finlayson, G., Axelsen, M., Flint, A., Gibbons, C., Kvist, T., & Hjerpsted, J. B. (2017). Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 19(9), 1242–1251. https://dom-pubs.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com/doi/10.1111/dom.12932
4. Gabery, S., Salinas, C. G., Paulsen, S. J., Ahnfelt-Rønne, J., Alanentalo, T., Baquero, A. F., Buckley, S. T., Farkas, E., Fekete, C., Frederiksen, K. S., Helms, H. C. C., Jeppesen, J. F., John, L. M., Pyke, C., Nøhr, J., Lu, T. T., Polex-Wolf, J., Prevot, V., Raun, K., Simonsen, L., … Hogendorf, W. F. J. (2020). Semaglutide lowers body weight in rodents via distributed neural pathways. JCI insight, 5(6), e133429. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/133429
5. Deswal, R., Narwal, V., Dang, A., & Pundir, C. S. (2020). The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brief Systematic Review. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 13(4), 261–271. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/33627974/
6. Cena, H., Chiovato, L., & Nappi, R. E. (2020). Obesity, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Infertility: A New Avenue for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 105(8), e2695–e2709. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/105/8/e2695/5842158?login=false
7. Clark, A. M., Thornley, B., Tomlinson, L., Galletley, C., & Norman, R. J. (1998). Weight loss in obese infertile women results in improvement in reproductive outcome for all forms of fertility treatment. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 13(6), 1502–1505. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9688382/‍
8. Food and Drug Administrator. (n.d.-b). MOUNJAROTM (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Access Data FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215866s000lbl.pdf